District No. 48 School · Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Franklin Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #233 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Franklin Township 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Franklin Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklin Township, and Franklin Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #233 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Franklin Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Franklin Township has more expected damage per building than 85% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Franklin Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklin Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Franklin Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Franklin Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wright County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Franklin Township
Disasters that paid out in Franklin Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Franklin Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to Franklin Township for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$29K to Franklin Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$15K to Franklin Township for repairs
Wright County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Franklin Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Franklin Township archive →Franklin Township and its neighbors
Franklin Township is 6th of the 10 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Minnetrista | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Woodland Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marysville Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Delano | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Rockford | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockford Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Watertown Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Franklin Township 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Franklin Township
Is Franklin Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #233 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Franklin Township 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 Wright County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Franklin Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Franklin Township’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 Franklin Township?
By FEMA money that reached Franklin Township, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $29K to Franklin Township for repairs.
Is Franklin Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Franklin Township’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Franklin Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Franklin Township’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.