Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County

Natural Hazard Profile: Franklin County, Georgia

Franklin County is located in the United States in Georgia, home to roughly 23,415 residents. The county experiences hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters, with an active tornado and severe thunderstorm season in spring shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Franklin County carries an overall risk score of 5.4/10, placing it in the moderate category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to hurricane and earthquake.

Franklin County's risk score, near the 5.2/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Franklin County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, hurricane, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Franklin County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for ice storm is recommended.