Franklin city Disaster Risk
Franklin city, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
8th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#113
of 133 (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
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin city, Virginia
Franklin city has very low disaster risk
Franklin city's composite risk score of 7.54 places it firmly in the very low category—only one-fifth of Virginia's state average of 33.27. The small city's urban footprint and hazard geography combine to create one of the state's safer communities.
Franklin city ranks among Virginia's safest
With a composite score of 7.54 compared to the state average of 33.27, Franklin city is one of the state's lowest-risk jurisdictions. The city's compact size and inland position provide substantial protection from multiple hazard categories.
Franklin city is slightly lower-risk than neighbors
Franklin city's 7.54 score matches Fredericksburg city (8.71) and sits below Fluvanna (13.49) and Franklin County (42.72). The two cities benefit from similar urban characteristics that reduce composite hazard exposure.
Hurricane risk dominates the threat profile
Franklin city's one notable vulnerability is hurricane risk (78.85)—among the highest in Virginia—despite its inland location, reflecting exposure to tropical moisture and remnant systems. Earthquake (36.55) and tornado (19.91) risks remain low, while flood (16.60) and wildfire (2.07) are minimal.
Hurricane preparedness takes priority here
Franklin city residents should focus hurricane preparation efforts—ensuring insurance covers wind damage and verifying policy limits before storm season. Given the city's exceptionally low flood and wildfire risks, standard homeowners coverage is generally sufficient for other hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Franklin city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Franklin city
Risk Verdict
At the 8th percentile nationally, Franklin city experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. No county at the 8th percentile is entirely free of natural hazard exposure; Franklin city residents benefit from staying alert to local conditions and signing up for county emergency alerts.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Franklin city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (20th percentile), flood (17th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Franklin city ranks at the 79th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Alongside hurricane exposure, earthquake at the 37th percentile nationally means Franklin city households should plan for multiple hazard scenarios within a single storm event. For extended post-storm outages common in Franklin city's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
A composite score 25.7 points below the Virginia state average puts Franklin city in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Franklin city's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.