riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Franklin County Disaster Risk

Franklin County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Franklin County

Risk Verdict

Franklin County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 43th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Franklin County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 62th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (55th), wildfire (38th), tornado (18th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Franklin County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Franklin County is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 9.4 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Franklin County, VA?
Franklin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 43th 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: hurricane (69th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), tornado (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 69th 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 Virginia average?
Franklin County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Franklin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Franklin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Franklin County's hurricane risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Franklin County is at the 62th 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.
Why is Franklin County higher risk than average?
Franklin County's composite risk score of 43th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (69th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Scott County

Virginia

-0.8

Very Low

42th percentile

Northampton County

Virginia

+1.7

Relatively Low

44th percentile

York County

Virginia

+1.9

Relatively Low

45th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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