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Natural hazard risk in Franklin County, Ohio

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively High (score 98.0 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$331.4 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1974
19[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$8.4 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
40[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates Franklin County's overall natural hazard risk Relatively High compared with other US counties, with a Risk Index score of 98.0 out of 100[5]. Within the county, the hazards with the highest FEMA scores are cold wave, heat wave and inland flooding[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Franklin County at $331.4 million a year, rated Relatively High[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly economic loss, not money anyone paid, and it is not meant to predict next year's damage[7]. Inland flooding has the largest hazard estimate at $209.6 million a year[8], followed by cold wave at $42.7 million[9] and tornado at $29.0 million[10]. FEMA rates social vulnerability Relatively Low (score 38.1), which describes how susceptible social groups are to harm from hazards[11]. FEMA rates community resilience Relatively High (score 65.2), which describes the ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[12].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Cold WaveVery High$42.7 million[9]
Heat WaveRelatively High$25.2 million[13]
Inland FloodingRelatively High$209.6 million[8]
HailRelatively High$8.0 million[14]
TornadoRelatively High$29.0 million[10]
Winter WeatherRelatively High$869,000[15]
Strong WindRelatively High$3.4 million[16]
LightningRelatively High$1.9 million[17]
EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$9.5 million[18]
Ice StormRelatively High$743,000[19]
LandslideRelatively Low$3,688[20]
DroughtRelatively Low$244,000[21]
HurricaneVery Low$73,000[22]
WildfireVery Low$13,000[23]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[24].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low38.1[11]
Community resilienceRelatively High65.2[12]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Franklin County Relatively High compared with other US counties (score 98.7 of 100)[8]. OpenFEMA data as of 2026-08-03 show 1,221 residential flood insurance contracts in force out of 388,712 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.3%[25]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 707 of 4,209 residential structures had a contract, a rate of 16.8%[25]. A HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026 counts 1,399 claims, 965 of them paid, with $8.4 million paid in total[3].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[8] Relatively High, $209.6 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[25] 1,221 of 388,712 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[25] 4,209, of which 707 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 1,399 filed, $8.4 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[26]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 19 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County since 1974, 14 of them major disasters[2]. Severe storms account for 11 of them[2]. The most recent is DR-4945-OH for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding and landslides, declared 2026-10-02[27]. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 40 tornadoes in the county from 1950 to 2024, with the most recent on 2024-02-28[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County, since 1974
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 11
Snowstorm[2] 3
Tornado[2] 2
Flood[2] 2
Hurricane[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4945-OH[27] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, And Landslides 2026-10-02
DR-4077-OH[27] Severe Storms And Straight-Line Winds 2012-08-20
EM-3346-OH[27] Severe Storms 2012-06-30
DR-1805-OH[27] Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike 2008-10-24
EM-3286-OH[27] Record Snow And Near Record Snow 2008-04-24

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Extreme heat

Before

  • Learn the signs of heat illness and how to respond.
  • Do not rely on a fan as your main way to stay cool. Fans do not lower body temperature.
  • Find cool public places, such as libraries or malls, or ask your local health department.
  • Keep heat out with window shades, weather stripping and insulation.
  • If you cannot afford cooling costs, contact LIHEAP for help.

During

  • Never leave a person or an animal in a parked car in warm weather.
  • If your home has no air conditioning, go to a cooling center.
  • Wear light, loose clothing, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard outdoor work in the middle of the day.

Source: Ready.gov, extreme heat

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Questions people ask

Is Franklin County, Ohio at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively High compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss estimate of $209.6 million a year[8]. This is a county-level rating and does not tell you the flood zone of a single address[26].
How do I check if an address in Franklin County is in a flood zone?
Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, the official public source for flood maps, or ask the local floodplain manager[26].
Does Franklin County get tornadoes?
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 40 tornadoes in Franklin County from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated F3[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively High compared with other US counties (score 98.4 of 100)[10].
Is Franklin County at risk of earthquakes, hurricanes or wildfire?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Moderate[18], hurricane risk Very Low[22] and wildfire risk Very Low[23] compared with other US counties. A hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low[7].
How many federal disasters have been declared in Franklin County?
OpenFEMA lists 19 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County since 1974, 14 major disaster and 5 emergency or fire management[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Franklin County is $331.4 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively High, score 98.0). Of this, buildings account for $245.2 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $85.6... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 19 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County since 1974 (14 major disaster, 5 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 11, snowstorm 3, tornado 2, flood 2, hurricane 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 1,399 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Franklin County, 965 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $8.4 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 40 recorded tornadoes touched Franklin County. The strongest were rated F3 (most recent of them on 1973-05-10). 2 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-02-28. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Franklin County is Relatively High, with a Risk Index score of 98.0 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Franklin County are cold wave (99.2, Very High), heat wave (98.9, Relatively High), inland flooding (98.7, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $209.6 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 3.5 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 99.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $42.7 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 3.63 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $29.0 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.29 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Franklin County is Relatively Low (score 38.1). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Franklin County is Relatively High (score 65.2). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $25.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 4.16 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $8.0 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 3.11 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 96.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $869,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 11.32 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 95.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.4 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 1.81 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 94.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.9 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 46.45 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 93.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9.5 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0013 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 87.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $743,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.73 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 64.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3,688 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 57.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $244,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.59 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 49.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $73,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the Atlantic... FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 29.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $13,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Franklin County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  25. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 1,221 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Franklin County, out of 388,712 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.3%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 4,209 residential structures and 707 contracts,... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  26. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  27. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.