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

Franklin County Disaster Risk

Franklin County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County, Idaho

Franklin County ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 7.63 and a Very Low rating, Franklin County is exceptionally safe from natural disasters compared to national averages. This low-risk profile reflects the county's location and landscape characteristics.

Second-safest county in Idaho

Franklin County's score of 7.63 is the second-lowest in Idaho after Clark County's 0.76, placing it far below the state average of 38.51. Most Idaho counties face substantially higher cumulative hazard exposure.

Safest of the eastern Idaho counties

Franklin County's 7.63 score is dramatically lower than neighboring Fremont (38.26), Custer (52.42), and Cache County region neighbors, making it a clear safety standout. Geography affords this county protection from most major hazard concentrations.

Earthquake and wildfire warrant attention

Even in Franklin County, earthquake risk (70.48) and wildfire risk (78.78) exceed flood (17.40) and tornado (3.24) threats. These two hazards deserve basic preparedness despite the county's overall very low-risk designation.

Earthquake preparedness is the priority

Franklin County homeowners should consider earthquake insurance and retrofit vulnerable structures with foundation bolting. Standard homeowners policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and the county's proximity to seismic zones makes separate coverage a prudent investment.

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
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    17th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Franklin County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Franklin County ranks at the 8th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Franklin County residents can take confidence from a 8th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Franklin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (17th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Franklin County sits at the 79th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Franklin County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 70th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Franklin County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 30.9 points below the Idaho state average, Franklin County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

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, ID?
Franklin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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: wildfire (79th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), flooding (17th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 79th 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 Idaho average?
Franklin County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Franklin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Franklin County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Franklin County's wildfire risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Franklin County is at the 17th 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 8th percentile is below the Idaho state average of 39th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Caribou County

Idaho

-0.4

Very Low

7th percentile

Bear Lake County

Idaho

-1.0

Very Low

7th percentile

Lincoln County

Idaho

+1.4

Very Low

9th 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.

Explore more data for Franklin County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score