Enter any address in Sumter County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Sumter County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 32 flash flood events, alongside 16 tropical storm events and 2 general flood events. For example, on June 13, 2025, slow-moving storms with high atmospheric moisture trained across the county, resulting in flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $27,758 and an average water depth of 11.2 feet. Zone X also shows a significant number of claims, averaging $17,967 in payouts and 7.3 feet of water depth. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in Zone V, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
30 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sumter County, South Carolina has recorded 50 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Hurricane Idalia | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2023 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 25, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Aug 31, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 8, 2018 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 6, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2023 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 13, 2025
Diurnally driven convection developed within a moist and unstable air mass characterized by CAPE values greater than 2000 J/kg with weak wind shear and precipitable water values over 2 inches and dewpoints in the lower 70s. Storms were slow moving and trained across Richland and Sumter counties resulting in flash flooding. Isolated strong storms produced severe wind damage northwest of Sumter.
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropica...
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2024
Training thunderstorms moved through Central Sumter County on the evening of August 12th producing up to 3.5 inches of rain in a few hours resulting in areas of localized flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2024
Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby occurred across South Carolina for several days resulting in areas of flash flooding. There was also an isolated severe thunderstorm on the 6th.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby occurred across South Carolina for several days resulting in areas of flash flooding. There was also an isolated severe thunderstorm on the 6th.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Sumter County, South Carolina:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Sumter County, South Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.