Sumter County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Sumter County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.7, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $41M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sumter County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $41M in expected annual loss for a population of 105K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sumter County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Sumter County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Sumter County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.32 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.72 / yr | $997K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.88 / yr | $451K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.68 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.56 / yr | $612K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $326K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $15M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $83K |
| Drought | Low | 13.44 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $589 |
| 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 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Ice Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| November 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 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 81.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th 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 Hurricane (Medium, $10M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sumter County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Sumter County ranks #20 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sumter County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Sumter County since 1977, most often 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice storm 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 $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.