Columbia, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Columbia is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Richland County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, lightning, and strong wind.
Storm events near Columbia
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Columbia's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Columbia 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 Richland County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Columbia along with the rest of the county, not a Columbia-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 69.7 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 93.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 94.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 95 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 80.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 38.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 89.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 94.4 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | 98.4 | Very High |
| Landslide | 85 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 96.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 95.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 86.4 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Richland County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Richland County:
More on Richland County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Columbia, SC at risk of?
Columbia is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Richland County, where Columbia is located, are ice storm, lightning, and strong wind.
What is Columbia's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Richland County, where Columbia is located, scoring 98.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Columbia a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Columbia carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Richland County.
Has Columbia had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 28 tornado, 132 hail, 178 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Columbia since 2016.