Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Franklin as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #75 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 243 claims here since 1978.
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 Franklin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Earthquakes
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 Franklin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklin, and Franklin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #75 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Franklin’s residents live in 21 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Franklin has less expected damage per building than 58% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.6M a year in losses across Franklin: $24.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklin flood? Yes: 243 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Franklin, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms126 claims · $6.0M
- The Heavy rains3 claims · $28K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $6K
Franklin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Franklin
Disasters that paid out in Franklin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Franklin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm74 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$497K to the City of Franklin for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$262K aid approved$98K to the City of Franklin for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1,568 households applied for aid$5.6M aid approved$624K to the City of Franklin for repairs129 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$78K to the City of Franklin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding108 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$170K to the City of Franklin for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$17K to the City of Franklin for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Williamson County has had 12 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 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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson's Station | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brentwood | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 301 |
| Franklin | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Franklin residents get 10% off flood insurance.
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 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #75 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Franklin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 243 claims in Franklin since 1978, $7.6M in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (126).
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 Williamson County, 86% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Franklin?
Franklin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 1,568 households applied for aid, $5.6M approved, and $624K to the City of Franklin for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 126 paid, $6.0M.
Is Franklin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Franklin’s rate for it is higher than 61% 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.