Franklin County Disaster Risk
Franklin County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
58th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#47
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County, Tennessee
Franklin County's risk sits near national average
Franklin County's composite risk score of 57.51 places it in the Relatively Low category, slightly above the national average for many counties. The county faces meaningful exposure to tornadoes and earthquakes despite lower wildfire risk than Tennessee's western regions.
Middle-of-pack risk for Tennessee
Franklin County's 57.51 score ranks it above the state average of 52.45, positioning it as a moderate-risk county within Tennessee. Its tornado risk (77.39) and earthquake risk (80.79) pull the overall score upward, while wildfire risk remains comparatively low at 17.27.
More at-risk than Giles, safer than Gibson
Franklin County's risk profile falls between its neighbors: slightly lower than Giles County (60.94) but considerably lower than Gibson County (85.94) to the northwest. Its composite score of 57.51 makes it representative of South-Central Tennessee's moderate hazard exposure.
Tornadoes and earthquakes are primary concerns
Tornado risk dominates at 77.39, reflecting Franklin County's location in Tennessee's tornado corridor where spring and early summer storms frequently develop. Earthquake risk (80.79) ranks nearly as high, tied to proximity to the Cumberland Plateau fault system and seismic activity in the region.
Prioritize tornado and earthquake coverage
Homeowners should ensure policies include tornado and hail damage protection, and consider a safe room or reinforced shelter for severe weather events. Earthquake coverage is often an optional add-on; review your policy to confirm whether structural damage from seismic activity is 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
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Franklin County
Risk Verdict
Franklin County's FEMA risk score places it at the 58th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Franklin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 81th percentile nationally, Franklin County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Tornado at the 77th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Franklin County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Franklin County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Tennessee county average is 5.1 composite points below Franklin County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Franklin County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Franklin County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Franklin County?
How does Franklin County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Franklin County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Franklin County higher risk than average?
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.