Gaffney, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Gaffney is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cherokee County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, tornado, and strong wind.
Storm events near Gaffney
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gaffney's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gaffney 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 Cherokee County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gaffney along with the rest of the county, not a Gaffney-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 37.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 72.5 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 74.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 51.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 82.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 80.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 49.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 54.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 91.4 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 55.9 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 77.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 82.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 29.4 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cherokee County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cherokee County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Gaffney, SC at risk of?
Gaffney is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Cherokee County, where Gaffney is located, are ice storm, tornado, and strong wind.
What is Gaffney's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Cherokee County, where Gaffney is located, scoring 91.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Gaffney a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Gaffney carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Cherokee County.
Has Gaffney had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 87 hail, 18 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gaffney since 2016.