Photo: ONUnicorn · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Frankton faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frankton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Frankton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Frankton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frankton, and Frankton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frankton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $600K a year in losses across Frankton: $487K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frankton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frankton, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Frankton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frankton
Disasters that paid out in Frankton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Frankton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$15K to the Town of Frankton for repairs
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of Frankton for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$43K to the Town of Frankton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$3K to the Town of Frankton for repairs
Madison County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Frankton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frankton archive →Get ready for what Frankton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Frankton
Is Frankton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frankton has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frankton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Frankton since 1980, $9K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Frankton in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Madison County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Frankton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frankton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Frankton?
By FEMA money that reached Frankton, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 50 households applied for aid, $36K approved, and $43K to the Town of Frankton for repairs.
Is Frankton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Frankton’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frankton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frankton’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.