The name comes from a meeting of five roads, with Woodruff Road (SC 146) as the main artery, about 11 miles east of downtown Greenville. The community was mostly farmland into the early 1990s, and its housing stock nearly doubled in the two decades after 2000. Newer homes still face burst pipes, storm damage and appliance failures, and thick tree cover means storm limbs are a constant concern.
Call (866) 937-3230 for help after water, fire or mold damage. Fire & Water Energy works as a referral service rather than a contractor, trying to connect you with an independent restoration company serving Five Forks; availability depends on providers in the area. Read about our process and our referral disclosure.
Tornadoes, ice and tropical remnants in eastern Greenville County
In April 2019 an EF1 tornado touched down in Simpsonville and tracked into Five Forks, a reminder that spring severe weather can reach this suburb. The following year Greenville County was included in a FEMA declaration for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding (DR-4479).
Other declarations covering the county include ice storms in 2003 and 2006, the 2026 Severe Winter Storm, the 2015 Severe Storms and Flooding, and tropical systems such as Tropical Storm Frances (2004), Hurricane Irma (2017), Hurricane Ian (2022) and Hurricane Helene (2024).
Water damage in newer Five Forks houses
A house built in the last twenty years isn't immune to leaks. PEX fittings, water heater pans, ice-maker lines, upstairs laundry rooms and second-floor bathrooms can all fail, and in two-story homes water often lands in the ceiling below. Frozen lines in garages or exterior walls are a winter risk during ice storms and cold snaps.
For water damage restoration in Five Forks, a capable contractor will typically find the source, extract water, open ceilings or walls only where needed and dry with dehumidifiers. If drywall overhead is stained or sagging, read about ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Greenville County
FEMA records show Greenville County was included in 9 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (4 hurricane, 2 severe ice storm, 1 winter storm, 1 severe storm, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Five Forks was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4908)
- 2024 – Hurricane Helene (DR-4829)
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4677)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4479)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4346)
- 2015 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4241)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Five Forks?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Five Forks property.
Fire, smoke and soot in larger homes
The area is served by Clear Spring Fire and Rescue and Pelham Batesville Fire Department Station 3. After they leave, larger floor plans and open layouts can mean smoke has traveled widely, leaving residue on high ceilings, stair rails and upstairs bedrooms.
Companies doing fire damage cleanup and soot removal generally test surfaces, use dry sponges or wet cleaning depending on the residue, clean HVAC as needed and deodorize. Keep a list of damaged belongings for your adjuster.
Downed trees, creek flooding and wind damage
Tree loss was one of the concerns in the community's area plan, which Greenville County Council adopted in August 2021, and the mature trees that remain can come down in tornadoes, ice storms and tropical wind. Low ground near Gilder Creek along the southern edge may collect runoff during long rains.
Greenville County's GIS map shows the 2021 FEMA flood zones for each parcel, and the county's participation in the Community Rating System gives residents a 15% flood insurance discount. For roof and tree damage, look into storm damage cleanup; for water that got inside, flood cleanup.
Humidity, crawlspaces and mold
Even well-sealed homes can grow mold if a slow leak goes unnoticed behind a vanity or under a dishwasher. Summer humidity in the Upstate keeps wet materials from drying, and growth can start within a day or two.
EPA guidance lets homeowners tackle roughly 10 square feet or less. For more than that, or for mold inside HVAC or wall cavities, mold remediation with containment and air filtration is recommended.
What Five Forks households should do first
- For fires, injuries, gas odors or downed power lines, call 911.
- Register for Greenville County emergency alerts so tornado and winter storm warnings reach you.
- Shut the main water valve after a plumbing failure, and stay away from wet electrical areas.
- Take photos of damage and keep any receipts for emergency repairs.
- Reach out to your insurer or agent; whether a loss is covered depends on your policy.
More nearby communities are on our South Carolina service areas page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Five Forks):
Five Forks restoration FAQs
Has a tornado hit Five Forks?
Yes. In April 2019 an EF1 tornado touched down in Simpsonville and ended in Five Forks. Greenville County was also part of a 2020 FEMA declaration for severe storms and tornadoes.
Is Five Forks a city with its own emergency services?
No. It is an unincorporated census-designated place governed by Greenville County Council. Fire protection comes from local fire districts, police service from the county sheriff, and emergency management from Greenville County.
Does flood risk matter if I'm not near a river?
It can. Greenville County's floodplain office notes that anywhere it rains, it can flood. Check your parcel on the county GIS flood map, especially if you are near Gilder Creek.
Is Fire & Water Energy the company that will restore my home?
No. We are a referral service and do not perform work. We try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving the area, depending on availability.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Flood Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation