Woods Hill · Photo: Kingrichard4867 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Franklin’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #237 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1999.
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.
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 Franklin’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklin, and Franklin’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
C #237 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 67% 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 Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Franklin has more expected damage per building than 94% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Franklin: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklin flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Franklin, from FEMA’s records: 21.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd18 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $9K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $6K
Franklin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.6 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.
- 2018Hurricane Florence$13K to the City of Franklin for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$95K to the City of Franklin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$282K to the City of Franklin for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel652 households applied for aid$468K aid approved$1.8M to the City of Franklin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$30K to the City of Franklin for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3.8M to the City of Franklin for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Camptown | — | 834 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
- 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.
- Franklin residents get 05% 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 higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #237 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Franklin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Franklin since 1999, $5.3M in all, or 21.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (18).
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 the county, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Franklin?
Franklin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $3.8M to the City of Franklin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 18 paid, $1.3M.
Is Franklin at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Franklin’s rate for it is in the top 9% 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.