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

Franklin Parish Disaster Risk

Franklin Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin Parish, Louisiana

Franklin Parish ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 35.91 and very-low rating, Franklin Parish sits well below the national average, placing it in the safest tier of American counties. Low flood risk (30.63) and minimal wildfire exposure (21.18) define the parish's protective profile, though tornado (64.85) and hurricane (73.59) risks remain moderate. For most natural disasters, Franklin residents enjoy substantially lower exposure than typical Americans.

Franklin Parish is among Louisiana's safest

At 35.91, Franklin Parish scores 26.5 points below Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it one of the state's lowest-risk regions. This significant advantage reflects the parish's distance from coastal hurricane paths and relative geographic stability. Franklin ranks firmly in Louisiana's safest tier alongside only a handful of comparable parishes.

Safest in its region, rivaled only by Grant

Franklin Parish (35.91) competes with Grant Parish (29.61) as the region's two safest communities, with Grant holding a slight edge. Both are substantially safer than East Carroll (21.60) and far safer than Evangeline (75.92) and East Feliciana (56.42). Franklin's protective geography creates a clear safety advantage within its region.

Tornado risk exceeds all other hazards

Tornadoes rank as Franklin Parish's primary threat at 64.85, though even this score falls below many Louisiana parishes. Hurricanes (73.59) present a secondary concern, while earthquake risk (54.10) rounds out the notable hazards. Flooding and wildfire pose minimal threat compared to these three hazards.

Standard homeowners policy provides solid foundation

A quality homeowners insurance policy with tornado and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection for Franklin Parish's moderate threat profile. Flood insurance is recommended only if your home sits in a designated floodplain, and hurricane coverage, while sensible, is less critical than in coastal parishes. Review your tornado preparedness annually and maintain a basic emergency kit.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Franklin Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    54th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Franklin Parish

Risk Verdict

Franklin Parish carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 36th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Franklin Parish residents can take confidence from a 36th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Franklin Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (54th percentile), flood (31th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Franklin Parish's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 74th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 65th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Franklin Parish independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Franklin Parish storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Louisiana county average, Franklin Parish's composite score runs 26.5 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Franklin Parish'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 Parish, LA?
Franklin Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Parish?
Franklin Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (74th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 74th 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 Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Franklin Parish's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Franklin Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Franklin Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Franklin Parish's hurricane risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Franklin Parish is at the 31th 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 Parish a safe place to live?
Franklin Parish's composite risk score of 36th percentile is below the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.