riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Franklin County Disaster Risk

Franklin County, Georgia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#86

of 159 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County, Georgia

Franklin County enjoys very low risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 33.08 places it well below the national average and earns a "Very Low" risk rating. This favorable position doesn't mean zero disaster risk, but residents face significantly fewer hazard exposures than most American counties.

Safer than most Georgia counties

Franklin County's score of 33.08 sits slightly below Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning it among the state's safer communities. This modest risk profile reflects the county's relative geographic isolation from major disaster corridors.

Clearly the safest county nearby

Franklin County's 33.08 score vastly outperforms surrounding counties like Forsyth (86.13) and Floyd (81.97), making it a notably safer location in north-central Georgia. This disparity underscores how localized disaster risk truly is across the state.

Hurricane risk the main concern

Franklin County's highest individual hazard risk is hurricane exposure at 68.59, still a meaningful concern despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk trails at 53.75, while flood and earthquake risks remain comparatively modest at 43.10 and 63.14 respectively.

Basic insurance suffices for most

Franklin County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents, though those near rivers or streams should verify flood coverage. Review your policy annually and maintain 80% replacement-cost coverage to ensure you're adequately protected.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Franklin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Franklin County

Risk Verdict

Franklin County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 33th percentile nationally. Franklin County's 33th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Franklin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), flood (43th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 69th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Franklin County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 63th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Franklin County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Franklin County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Franklin County falls 6.4 points below Georgia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Franklin County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Franklin County, GA?
Franklin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Franklin County?
Franklin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (69th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (43th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 69th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Franklin County risk compare to the Georgia average?
Franklin County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Georgia state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Franklin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Georgia.
Is Franklin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Franklin County's hurricane risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Franklin County is at the 43th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Franklin County a safe place to live?
Franklin County's composite risk score of 33th percentile is below the Georgia state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dade County

Georgia

+0.1

Very Low

33th percentile

Stephens County

Georgia

+0.3

Very Low

33th percentile

Macon County

Georgia

-1.0

Very Low

32th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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