riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cherokee County Disaster Risk

Cherokee County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cherokee County

Risk Verdict

Cherokee County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 70th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Cherokee County, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 74th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (73th), hurricane (71th), wildfire (37th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Cherokee County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Cherokee County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in South Carolina. Its composite risk score is within 1.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of South Carolina as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cherokee County, SC?
Cherokee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Cherokee County?
Cherokee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (83th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), hurricane (71th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 83th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Cherokee County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Cherokee County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cherokee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Cherokee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cherokee County's tornado risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cherokee County is at the 73th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Cherokee County a safe place to live?
Cherokee County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is below the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 83th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Darlington County

South Carolina

+2.6

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Kershaw County

South Carolina

-3.0

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Greenwood County

South Carolina

+3.1

Relatively Low

73th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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