Buford, GA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Buford is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Gwinnett County, GA. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, hail, and tornado.
Storm events near Buford
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Buford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Buford itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Gwinnett County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Buford along with the rest of the county, not a Buford-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 46.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 93.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 93.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 56 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 98 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 71.4 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 94.9 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 79.3 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 98.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 92.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Gwinnett County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Gwinnett County:
More on Gwinnett County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Buford, GA at risk of?
Buford is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Gwinnett County, where Buford is located, are lightning, hail, and tornado.
What is Buford's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Gwinnett County, where Buford is located, scoring 98.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Buford a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Buford carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Gwinnett County.
Has Buford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 12 tornado, 80 hail, 60 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Buford since 2016.