Photo: Doug Kerr on Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0Franklin’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #167 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then strong wind (18%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 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
Strong wind
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklin, and Franklin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #167 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Franklin’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Franklin has less expected damage per building than 64% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Franklin: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklin flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Franklin, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $47K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Franklin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Franklin
Disasters that paid out in Franklin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Franklin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy32 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene112 households applied for aid$172K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $47K
Sussex County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Franklin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Franklin archive →Franklin and its neighbors
Franklin is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardyston Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ogdensburg | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Franklin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Hamburg | Cmore damage than 70% | 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 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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
Is Franklin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #167 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and strong wind (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Franklin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Franklin since 1979, $76K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Franklin 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Franklin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Franklin’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?
By FEMA money that reached Franklin, Hurricane Irene (2011): 112 households applied for aid, $172K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $47K.
Is Franklin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Franklin’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Franklin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Franklin’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.