Franklin County
Vermont — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.2, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.80 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $256K |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.67 / yr | $588K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $631K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.29 / yr | $124K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $261K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.76 / yr | $280K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $209 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.81 / yr | $651K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.57 / yr | $405K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $193K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.85 / yr | $35K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Franklin County?
Franklin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Franklin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $256K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $588K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Vermont counties?
Franklin County ranks #9 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Franklin County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.