Sanford, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Sanford is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lee County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, tornado, and ice storm.
Storm events near Sanford
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sanford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sanford 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 Lee County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sanford along with the rest of the county, not a Sanford-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 54.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 71.7 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 70.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 72.2 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 81.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 39.6 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 53.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 60.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 84.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 81.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 26.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 78.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 39.7 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 51.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lee County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lee County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Sanford, NC at risk of?
Sanford 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 Lee County, where Sanford is located, are hurricane, tornado, and ice storm.
What is Sanford's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Lee County, where Sanford is located, scoring 84.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Sanford a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Sanford carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Lee County.
Has Sanford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 65 hail, 79 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sanford since 2016.