Disaster Mitigation THEME SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES Franklin has faced numerous natural hazards over recent decades, including severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, winter storms, extreme heat, and drought. More than ten large scale disasters have occurred since the 1970s, underscoring the city’s vulnerability. These environmental pressures create heightened risks for historic structures that were built before modern building codes and weather resistant standards. Because historic buildings contain irreplaceable craftsmanship and cultural significance, they require specialized attention within the City’s resilience planning. Although durable, these structures remain susceptible to disaster impacts and changing environmental conditions. Flooding along the Harpeth River is one of the most persistent threats, demonstrated by major flood events in 2010 and 2021 that caused extensive damage and reinforced the need for continued floodplain management improvements. Fire and tornadoes pose additional dangers to Franklin’s historic areas. Nearly half of Main Street’s commercial buildings now have sprinkler systems, with more retrofits underway to help protect dense historic fabric. Franklin’s location in a tornado prone region further elevates risk, as recent storms across Middle Tennessee have damaged numerous historic buildings. Together, these hazards demonstrate the need for a comprehensive, preservation focused resilience strategy that helps safeguard Franklin’s historic structures and cultural landscapes against future disasters. Communities, including Franklin, are experiencing increasingly frequent and intense storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures and face threats from fire, wind, and tornadoes—putting historic buildings or older buildings built with older materials, at heightened risk of damage and deterioration. Many communities lack disaster preparedness plans tailored to historic buildings and cultural landscapes, leading to emergency responses that may overlook preservation needs and increase the risk of losing significant historic resources. Historic buildings are especially vulnerable because they were built with older materials and methods; they face heightened risks from flooding, wind, moisture, and fire, making preservation focused resilience planning essential. 1 2 3 162 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
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