HazardFacts

All states › Pennsylvania › Franklin County

Natural hazard risk in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

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

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 76.3 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$37.7 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1972
18[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$1.1 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
15[4]

FEMA rates the overall natural hazard risk for Franklin County, Pennsylvania as Relatively Low compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are hurricane, inland flooding and strong wind[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 (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Franklin County a Risk Index score of 76.3 out of 100[5]. FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $37.7 million a year[1]. By FEMA's estimates, the largest hazard-type losses are inland flooding ($26.0 million a year), hurricane ($4.4 million a year) and strong wind ($1.6 million a year)[7]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability as Relatively Low, meaning social groups here are rated as less susceptible to harm from hazards compared with other US counties[8]. FEMA rates Community Resilience as Relatively High, which describes the ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[9]. FEMA says the index does not predict the damage in the next year[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$4.4 million[11]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$26.0 million[12]
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$1.6 million[13]
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$237,000[14]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$928,000[15]
LandslideRelatively Low$9,988[16]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.2 million[17]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$1.1 million[18]
LightningRelatively Moderate$360,000[19]
HailRelatively Low$398,000[20]
WildfireVery Low$54,000[21]
AvalancheVery Low$505[22]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.1 million[23]
Ice StormRelatively Low$46,000[24]
Cold WaveVery Low$252,000[25]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[26].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

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

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low32.4[8]
Community resilienceRelatively High63.4[9]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Franklin County as Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[12]. OpenFEMA lists 213 residential flood insurance contracts in force out of 59,690 residential structures, as of 2026-08-03[27]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 20.1% of homes are insured[27]. OpenFEMA NFIP claims data show 188 claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $1.1 million in total[3]. To learn the flood zone of an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[12] Relatively Moderate, $26.0 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[27] 213 of 59,690 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[27] 777, of which 156 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 188 filed, $1.1 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[28]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County since 1972[2]. By incident type, flood has 6, hurricane 4, severe storm 4 and snowstorm 4[2]. The most recent is DR-4267-PA, a severe winter storm and snowstorm declared on 2016-03-23[29]. NOAA's tornado database records 15 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF2[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County, since 1972
Incident type Declarations
Flood[2] 6
Hurricane[2] 4
Severe Storm[2] 4
Snowstorm[2] 4
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4267-PA[29] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2016-03-23
DR-4099-PA[29] Hurricane Sandy 2013-01-10
EM-3356-PA[29] Hurricane Sandy 2012-10-29
EM-3340-PA[29] Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee 2011-09-08
DR-1898-PA[29] Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms 2010-04-16

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.

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Franklin County, PA at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[12]. FEMA estimates inland flooding makes up $26.0 million a year of expected annual loss[7].
Does Franklin County, PA get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 15 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[23].
Is Franklin County, PA at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with Expected Annual Loss of $1.2 million a year[17].
How many disasters have been declared in Franklin County, PA?
OpenFEMA lists 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1972[2].
How can I check a flood zone in Franklin County, PA?
Look up the address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[28].

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 $37.7 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 78.4). Of this, buildings account for $30.5 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $4.1... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Franklin County since 1972 (13 major disaster, 5 emergency or fire management). By incident type: flood 6, hurricane 4, severe storm 4, snowstorm 4. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other non-natural... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 188 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Franklin County, 129 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $1.1 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): 15 recorded tornadoes touched Franklin County. The strongest were rated EF2 (most recent of them on 2019-04-19). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2022-05-27. 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 Low, with a Risk Index score of 76.3 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 hurricane (85.5, Relatively Moderate), inland flooding (84.3, Relatively Moderate), strong wind (83.1, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Franklin County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($26.0 million a year), hurricane ($4.4 million a year), strong wind ($1.6 million a year), out of $37.7 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Franklin County is Relatively Low (score 32.4). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Franklin County is Relatively High (score 63.4). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. 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
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 85.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4.4 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.07 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 84.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $26.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.89 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of... FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 83.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.6 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.34 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 81.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $237,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 12.47 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 79.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $928,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.92 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 75.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9,988 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 75.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 72.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.26 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 60.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $360,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 36.94 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 59.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $398,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.68 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 51.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $54,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 48.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $505 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 46.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.39 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 36.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $46,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.48 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Franklin County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 20.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $252,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.37 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Franklin County: 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 geographically possible... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  27. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 213 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Franklin County, out of 59,690 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.4%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 777 residential structures and 156 contracts, a... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  28. 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
  29. 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.