riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Sumter County Disaster Risk

Sumter County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sumter County, Alabama

Sumter County Among Alabama's Safest

Sumter County scores 53.02 on the composite risk index, the lowest among the eight counties and well below Alabama's state average of 61.54. Its relatively low rating reflects moderate exposure across most hazard categories, though some risks remain noteworthy.

Lowest Risk in This Analysis

Sumter County ranks as the safest community in this eight-county peer group, barely edging Russell County (54.74) and substantially outscoring moderate-risk counties like Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Talladega. This positioning reflects the county's southwestern Alabama location and composition.

Notably Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Sumter County's 53.02 score ranks lowest in the analysis, with the next-safest peer (Russell, 54.74) scoring just over a point higher and others far ahead. This relative safety advantage makes it one of Alabama's more resilient communities.

Hurricane and Tornado Pose Main Threats

Hurricane risk scores 76.26 and tornado risk scores 81.74, the two highest hazards in Sumter County despite the county's overall low composite rating. Flood risk (54.77) and wildfire risk (34.41) present comparatively lower concerns.

Focus on Seasonal Storm Protection

With hurricane risk at 76.26 and tornado risk at 81.74, Sumter residents should maintain robust homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage. Though the county's overall risk is low, these seasonal threats warrant emergency planning and secure shelter preparation.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sumter County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sumter County

Risk Verdict

Sumter County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 53th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Sumter County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Sumter County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (74th percentile), flood (55th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 82th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Sumter County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Sumter County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 76th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Sumter County's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Sumter County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Sumter County is 8.5 composite risk points below the Alabama state mean, meaning most other Alabama counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Sumter County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Sumter County, AL?
Sumter County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Sumter County?
Sumter County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (82th percentile), hurricane (76th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 82th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Sumter County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Sumter County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Sumter County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Sumter County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Sumter County's tornado risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sumter County is at the 55th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Sumter County a safe place to live?
Sumter County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is below the Alabama state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Geneva County

Alabama

+0.3

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Clarke County

Alabama

+0.4

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Marengo County

Alabama

-0.9

Relatively Low

52th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

Explore more data for Sumter County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score