Varnado, D.A. and Son Store · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Franklinton than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #90 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 83 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 stands out about Franklinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Franklinton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Franklinton’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklinton, and Franklinton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #90 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Franklinton’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Franklinton has more expected damage per building than 55% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Franklinton: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklinton flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Franklinton, from FEMA’s records: 54.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaac12 claims · $520K
- The Late winter severe storms10 claims · $574K
- The Mid-summer severe storms4 claims · $113K
Franklinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington Parish.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Franklinton
Disasters that paid out in Franklinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Franklinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida4,510 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$657K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding237 households applied for aid$278K aid approved$10K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding707 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$43K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,189 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$25K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $520K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav632 households applied for aid$426K aid approved$80K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina7,701 households applied for aid$14.6M aid approved$8.8M to the Town of Franklinton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$2K to the Town of Franklinton for repairs
Washington Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Franklinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Franklinton archive →Get ready for what Franklinton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Franklinton
Is Franklinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklinton has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #90 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Franklinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in Franklinton since 1980, $1.7M in all, or 54.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaac (12).
Is Franklinton 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 Washington Parish, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Franklinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Franklinton’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 Franklinton?
By FEMA money that reached Franklinton, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 7,701 households applied for aid, $14.6M approved, and $8.8M to the Town of Franklinton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaac: 12 paid, $520K.
Is Franklinton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Franklinton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Franklinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Franklinton’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.