Sumter County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Sumter County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.0, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sumter County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $667K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $610K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sumter County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Sumter County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Sumter County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $667K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $610K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.11 / yr | $473K |
| Lightning | Medium | 69.49 / yr | $193K |
| Drought | Low | 14.83 / yr | $132K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.10 / yr | $365K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.53 / yr | $488K |
| Hail | Low | 2.95 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sumter County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sumter County?
Sumter County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sumter County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $667K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $610K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sumter County compare to other Alabama counties?
Sumter County ranks #42 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sumter County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Sumter County since 1973, most often 10 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Sumter County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.