West Columbia, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
West 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 Lexington County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, ice storm, and strong wind.
Storm events near West Columbia
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of West Columbia's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to West 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 Lexington County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering West Columbia along with the rest of the county, not a West Columbia-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 75.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 90.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 91.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 92.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 77.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 63.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 80.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 92.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 96.7 | Very High |
| Landslide | 75.6 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 92.2 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 93.3 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 76.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lexington County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Lexington County:
More on Lexington County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is West Columbia, SC at risk of?
West 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 Lexington County, where West Columbia is located, are tornado, ice storm, and strong wind.
What is West Columbia's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Lexington County, where West Columbia is located, scoring 97.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is West Columbia a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — West 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 Lexington County.
Has West Columbia had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 39 tornado, 136 hail, 183 inland flooding events within 25 miles of West Columbia since 2016.