Summerville, SC

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 52,625 · Part of Dorchester County

Summerville 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 Dorchester County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, hurricane, and ice storm.

Storm events near Summerville

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Summerville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Summerville itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 17 events
Hail 160 events
Inland Flooding 144 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Dorchester County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Summerville along with the rest of the county, not a Summerville-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 79 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 78.7 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding 59.2 Relatively Low
Earthquake 97.9 Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave 69.2 Relatively Low
Tornado 74.8 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 67.9 Relatively Moderate
Drought 27.7 Very Low
Hail 45.7 Relatively Low
Hurricane 97.9 Relatively High
Ice Storm 83.4 Relatively High
Landslide 14 Very Low
Lightning 82.7 Relatively High
Strong Wind 18.7 Relatively Low
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 68 Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Dorchester County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Dorchester County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Summerville, SC at risk of?

Summerville 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 Dorchester County, where Summerville is located, are earthquake, hurricane, and ice storm.

What is Summerville's biggest natural hazard risk?

Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Dorchester County, where Summerville is located, scoring 97.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").

Is Summerville a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Summerville 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 Dorchester County.

Has Summerville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 160 hail, 144 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Summerville since 2016.