Sumter County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Sumter County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.2, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sumter County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.2 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.
Most of Sumter County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 54.45 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $588K in expected annual loss and about 7.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sumter County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Sumter County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Sumter County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 54.45 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.13 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $588K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 66.71 / yr | $273K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $385K |
| Hail | Low | 1.99 / yr | $294K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $444K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $283 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $55K |
| 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 14 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 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 53.2 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 Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $588K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sumter County compare to other Georgia counties?
Sumter County ranks #52 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sumter County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Sumter County since 1977, most often 6 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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 $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.