Shafter, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Shafter is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Kern County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are wildfire, heat wave, and earthquake.
Storm events near Shafter
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Shafter's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Shafter 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 Kern County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Shafter along with the rest of the county, not a Shafter-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 99.7 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 99.5 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 19.8 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 46.8 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 3.9 | Very Low |
| Drought | 94.5 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 67.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 85 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 46 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 59.6 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 82.2 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Kern County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Kern County:
More on Kern County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Shafter, CA at risk of?
Shafter 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 Kern County, where Shafter is located, are wildfire, heat wave, and earthquake.
What is Shafter's biggest natural hazard risk?
Wildfire is the highest-rated hazard for Kern County, where Shafter is located, scoring 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Shafter a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Shafter carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Kern County.
Has Shafter had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 hail, 130 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Shafter since 2016.