Sumter, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Sumter 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 Sumter County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, earthquake, and strong wind.
Storm events near Sumter
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sumter's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sumter 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 Sumter County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sumter along with the rest of the county, not a Sumter-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 79 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 76.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 91.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 80.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 74.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 70.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 47.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 84.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 91.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 82.7 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 40.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 79 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 88.4 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 61 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sumter County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Sumter County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Sumter, SC at risk of?
Sumter 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 Sumter County, where Sumter is located, are hurricane, earthquake, and strong wind.
What is Sumter's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Sumter County, where Sumter is located, scoring 91.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Sumter a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Sumter 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 Sumter County.
Has Sumter had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 14 tornado, 40 hail, 31 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sumter since 2016.