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

Franklin County Disaster Risk

Franklin County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#183

of 254 (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 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County, Texas

Franklin County carries low national risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 24.81 falls well below the national average, placing it in the very low risk category. Residents experience significantly less natural disaster threat than typical Americans across most hazard types.

Below-average risk for Texas

At 24.81, Franklin County's composite score substantially underperforms Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's safer jurisdictions. This favorable standing reflects geographic advantages that shield residents from the extreme weather affecting many Texas areas.

Safer than Fannin, similar to Falls

Franklin County's risk score of 24.81 closely matches Falls County (26.24) and dramatically underperforms Fannin County (68.13) to the north. The county's tornado (72.30) and hurricane (55.53) risks remain elevated compared to wildfire and flood concerns.

Tornadoes rank as primary hazard

Tornado risk (72.30) represents Franklin County's most serious threat, followed by hurricane risk (55.53) and wildfire risk (58.84). Flood risk (17.05) and earthquake risk (31.93) pose secondary concerns for residents.

Prioritize wind and tornado coverage

Franklin County residents should ensure comprehensive wind and hail protection in homeowners policies given the 72.30 tornado score. Consider a safe room or interior shelter investment, and maintain an updated emergency preparedness plan that includes severe storm procedures.

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
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Franklin County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Franklin County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 25th percentile. Franklin County's 25th 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

Tornado risk is Franklin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (56th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flood (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 72th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Franklin County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Franklin County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 59th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Franklin County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Franklin County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Franklin County is 24.2 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard 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, TX?
Franklin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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: tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Texas average?
Franklin County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Franklin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Franklin County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Franklin County's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. 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 25th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pecos County

Texas

+0.3

Very Low

25th percentile

Carson County

Texas

+0.4

Very Low

25th percentile

Crosby County

Texas

-1.1

Very Low

24th 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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