Sumter County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot South Carolina Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Sumter County is lower than South Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Sumter County is higher than South Carolina average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #26
| Sumter County | 0.14 |
| South Carolina | 0.49 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Sumter County | 0.0000 |
| South Carolina | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #16
| Sumter County | 153.72 |
| South Carolina | 136.91 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 12,123 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Sumter County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 19 | Dense Fog: | 4 | Drought: | 84 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 704 | Hail: | 3,715 | Heat: | 22 | Heavy Snow: | 46 |
| High Surf: | 8 | Hurricane: | 15 | Ice Storm: | 35 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 78 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 6,710 | Tropical Storm: | 21 | Wildfire: | 5 | Winter Storm: | 57 | Winter Weather: | 29 |
| Other: | 571 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Sumter County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 2 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Sumter County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 28.7 | 1972-02-03 | 4.5 | 5 | 33.5 | -80.4 |
| 40.0 | 1967-10-23 | 3.8 | N/A | 33.4 | -80.7 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 47 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Sumter County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.1 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 33°53'N / 80°23'W | 33°55'N / 80°23'W | 4.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 3 | 1.7M | 0 | Sumter |
| Brief Description: Emergency manager reported 55 homes damaged, 9 destroyed, and 3 injuries. | |||||||||||
| 2.9 | 2007-04-15 | 3 | 33°47'N / 80°30'W | 33°58'N / 80°15'W | 19.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 5 | 0K | 0K | Sumter |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF3 tornado traveled from southwest to northeast of Sumter destroying a seven mobile homes, severely damaging nine framed homes, and doing light to moderate damage to an additional 62 mobile and framed homes. There was 1 fatality and 3 injuries. The tornado touched down as an EF1 and ended as an EF3 where the fatality occurred at a mobile home on hwy 76. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front with strong dynamics and windshear pushed into the area late Saturday and early Sunday. Hail and microbursts accompanied the first wave of storms while the second wave of storms produced a half dozen tornadoes. The largest was an EF3 that killed on person and injured 3 others. | |||||||||||
| 11.9 | 1963-09-29 | 2 | 33°53'N / 80°13'W | 33°55'N / 80°08'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sumter |
| 18.5 | 1988-08-28 | 2 | 33°40'N / 80°16'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 1 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Clarendon | |
| 21.7 | 1958-04-22 | 2 | 33°36'N / 80°34'W | 33°37'N / 80°21'W | 12.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Clarendon |
| 22.2 | 1968-05-17 | 2 | 34°12'N / 80°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Darlington | |
| 22.5 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 33°50'N / 80°45'W | 33°52'N / 80°47'W | 2.50 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 3 | 100K | 0 | Richland |
| Brief Description: NWS survey found 3 mobile destroyed, several others damaged along with a couple of businesses. Three people were injured. Numerous trees and powerlines down. | |||||||||||
| 22.9 | 1966-10-01 | 2 | 34°13'N / 80°20'W | 34°15'N / 80°12'W | 8.20 Miles | 117 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25K | 0 | Lee |
| 25.7 | 1997-07-23 | 2 | 34°13'N / 80°34'W | 34°18'N / 80°33'W | 6.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 1 | 225K | 0 | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced winds to 135 mph. Numerous trees were down. Two homes had major damage and three had minor damage. One mobile home was destroyed and three others had minor damage. One person was injured. | |||||||||||
| 25.8 | 1967-05-29 | 2 | 33°55'N / 80°50'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
| 25.9 | 1958-04-22 | 2 | 33°35'N / 80°39'W | 33°36'N / 80°34'W | 5.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Calhoun |
| 26.3 | 1978-05-04 | 2 | 33°26'N / 80°29'W | 33°40'N / 80°02'W | 30.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Clarendon |
| 26.8 | 1987-08-31 | 2 | 33°56'N / 80°51'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 27.6 | 2008-03-15 | 2 | 34°10'N / 80°49'W | 34°10'N / 80°42'W | 7.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 tornado went through the Elgin community doing heavy damage to many homes including partial to total roofs gone and destroying 4 mobile homes. None of the mobiles were tied down and crumbled from rolling. Numerous trees and powerlines were down and there were 2 injuries. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Seven supercells tracked across our South Carolina County Warning Area and produced many long-lived tornadoes that did significant damage. Over 85 homes were destroyed, around 400 had moderate damage, and estimates for the total devastation were around 40 million dollars. | |||||||||||
| 27.6 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 33°55'N / 79°55'W | 33°55'N / 79°53'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0K | Sumter |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced estimated winds of 120 mph when it touched down in extreme eastern Sumter county. The twister was about 150 yds wide and had a damage path 1.5 miles long. Three out-buildings were completely destroyed with the contents severely damaged. One ttree fell on a Ford Mustang and totalled it. Another tree fell on a home. The roof of a two story house was ripped off and the upstairs ceiling caved in. A farm combine was also turned over and damaged. Initial damage estimates were set at around $75K. | |||||||||||
| 28.9 | 1978-05-04 | 2 | 33°40'N / 80°02'W | 33°44'N / 79°52'W | 10.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Williamsburg |
| 29.1 | 1980-05-20 | 2 | 34°14'N / 80°06'W | 34°12'N / 79°57'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Darlington |
| 29.4 | 2004-12-10 | 2 | 33°39'N / 80°47'W | 33°39'N / 80°47'W | 0.50 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Calhoun |
| Brief Description: Damage survey found an F2 tornado tore most of the concrete roof off a warehouse and damaged several vehicles and other outbuildings. | |||||||||||
| 29.6 | 2004-09-07 | 3 | 34°16'N / 80°35'W | 34°21'N / 80°36'W | 7.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: An F3 tornado demolished several mobile homes and severely damaged cinder block horse stables at a horse farm. A large horse trailer was lifted up and placed on top of the stable. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees and powerlines were down. | |||||||||||
| 32.0 | 2010-04-25 | 2 | 34°16'N / 80°01'W | 34°16'N / 80°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 750K | 0K | Darlington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF2 tornado with winds estimated to 130 mph. The tornado first touched down in a stand of pine trees, snapping approximately 30 of them several feet off the ground. The largest of the snapped trees was 12 inches in diameter. The tornado then moved east into a cluster of homes and mobile homes along East 7 Pines Street. One mobile home was blown 20 yards off its frame and was completely destroyed. The debris was blown into another single wide mobile home which was subsequently destroyed. A large pecan tree was uprooted before the tornado lifted off the ground. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 100 mph. The second touchdown occurred a few hundred yards to the east. The tornado moved over a stand of trees and descended practically on top of a two story single family residence located on East 7 Pines Street. This dwelling was blown off its foundation and flipped over onto two automobiles and in the process was completely destroyed. Three people were in the home at the time. They took shelter in an interior hallway moments before the tornado struck. They were transported to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released. A Ford Ranger Pickup was lifted and dropped approximately 50 yards away. A horse trailer was lifted and dropped 100 yards away. A large wood framed workshop and horse barn were also destroyed. The tornado moved east approximately two tenths of a mile and damaged or uprooted several trees as it lifted. The damage was rated EF2 with winds to 130 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A thunderstorm developed along a surface boundary during the evening. The thunderstorm developed supercell characteristics soon after moving into Darlington County and spawned several tornadoes over its lifetime. | |||||||||||
| 32.5 | 1990-10-22 | 2 | 33°35'N / 80°47'W | 0.10 Mile | 20 Yards | 1 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Calhoun | |
| 32.6 | 1967-03-12 | 2 | 34°02'N / 79°56'W | 34°08'N / 79°46'W | 11.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Florence |
| 34.3 | 2004-12-10 | 3 | 33°34'N / 80°50'W | 33°36'N / 80°49'W | 1.50 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: Damage survey found an F3 tornado demolished a brick church, completely destroyed 2 mobile homes and several outbuildings. The main damage occurred on Coulter road. | |||||||||||
| 34.6 | 1998-03-08 | 2 | 33°23'N / 80°27'W | 33°27'N / 80°24'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 220K | 0 | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado did major damage to a horse farm and race track. Several of the horses were injured. Debris from the horse farm was found as far as 3 miles away. Major damage was also done to a home and a couple of mobile homes. Minor damage was also done to a couple of mobile and permanent homes. | |||||||||||
| 36.2 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 34°02'N / 81°00'W | 34°05'N / 80°59'W | 3.80 Miles | 40 Yards | 1 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Richland |
| 36.4 | 1966-04-13 | 2 | 33°52'N / 79°45'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Florence | |
| 36.4 | 1964-07-03 | 2 | 34°03'N / 79°46'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
| 36.8 | 1975-11-12 | 2 | 34°00'N / 81°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 36.9 | 1967-03-12 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°45'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Florence | |
| 37.5 | 1997-07-23 | 2 | 33°51'N / 81°03'W | 33°53'N / 81°01'W | 3.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 6 | 917K | 25K | Lexington |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado producing winds to 150 mph killed a 32 year old female and injured 6 others. Two homes were destroyed and 9 others had major damage. Two apartements were destroyed (duplex). Seven mobile homes were destroyed and 94 had minor damage. Numerous trees were down and two crop fields had areas of destroyed crops. F32PH | |||||||||||
| 38.2 | 2010-04-25 | 2 | 34°16'N / 79°54'W | 34°17'N / 79°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 6.3M | 0K | Darlington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF2 tornado with winds estimated to 115 mph. The tornado first touched down near Syracuse Street and Rogers Road. An unanchored double-wide mobile home was rolled off its foundation and onto its side. Several trees along Syracuse Street were uprooted or snapped or had large branches broken off. Several homes suffered minor to moderate shingle damage, largely as a result of fallen trees or branches. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 90 mph. After briefly lifting, the tornado touched down as it approached Highway 401 and caused major damage to a large steel building. Two bay doors were blown in and a large portion of the roof was lifted and blown off. Sheet metal from the roof was strewn for about 200 yards. A small wooden garage and building were destroyed before the tornado lifted near Highway 401. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 100 mph. The tornado touched down one last time between Lightly Street and Southern Pine Street. Numerous hardwood trees were uprooted or snapped. A few of these trees, with diameters up to 24 inches, were snapped a few feet from the ground. There was significant damage to some residential homes, primarily the result of falling trees or branches. The tornado continued across Highway 52 business where several businesses and structures sustained minor to moderate damage. A set of car wash bays were blown over and a church lost many shingles and a small portion of its roof. The tornado then continued east of Highway 52 business through a residential neighborhood. Several large trees up to 20 inches in diameter were uprooted. A large section of roof was blown off a home. Cain Elementary School suffered significant damage. Many awnings at the school were damaged or destroyed and one building lost half its roof. Shortly after causing the roof damage to Cain Elementary, the tornado caused more tree damage as it lifted through the treetops. As these trees or their branches fell, several residences sustained minor to moderate damage to include some roof shingle damage. The damage was rated EF2 with winds to 115 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A thunderstorm developed along a surface boundary during the evening. The thunderstorm developed supercell characteristics soon after moving into Darlington County and spawned several tornadoes over its lifetime. | |||||||||||
| 39.7 | 1964-08-29 | 2 | 34°18'N / 79°52'W | 0.10 Mile | 13 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Darlington | |
| 40.0 | 1953-01-08 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°46'W | 34°07'N / 79°39'W | 9.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Florence |
| 41.4 | 2006-05-14 | 2 | 34°12'N / 79°45'W | 34°13'N / 79°45'W | 0.60 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.3M | 0 | Florence |
| Brief Description: A Storm Survey concluded a tornado moved through the Glendale community of Florence. The majority of damage was F1 with a path 1000 yards long and up to 150 yards wide. There was a small area (150 yards long 20 yards wide) of heavier F2 damage, with winds estimated at 120 mph. Sixty homes were damaged, six of which had major structural damage, largely due to snapped and uprooted trees. The Quinby area had penny to golfball size hail, with trees and power lines down. The Florence county tax assessor estimated the damage at 1.3 million dollars. | |||||||||||
| 44.0 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 34°28'N / 80°07'W | 34°34'N / 80°08'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Chesterfield |
| Brief Description: An F2 destroyed 2 mobile homes and did moderate to severe damage to several others. Numerous trees and powerlines were down. | |||||||||||
| 44.9 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 34°28'N / 80°48'W | 0.80 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Kershaw | |
| 45.2 | 2004-09-27 | 2 | 34°20'N / 80°58'W | 34°22'N / 80°59'W | 2.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | Fairfield |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado destroyed 5 mobile homes, did moderate to severe damage to 2 framed homes and injurred 13 people. One 57 year old male died. Two vehicles were moved 20 to 30 yards. M51MH | |||||||||||
| 45.4 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°32'N / 80°38'W | 34°33'N / 80°37'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 31 | 25.0M | 0 | Kershaw |
| 46.1 | 1981-05-27 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°37'W | 34°04'N / 79°34'W | 4.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Florence |
| 46.6 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°34'N / 80°10'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chesterfield | |
| 47.2 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°33'N / 80°37'W | 34°36'N / 80°35'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25.0M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 47.7 | 1998-03-08 | 2 | 33°32'N / 81°05'W | 33°32'N / 81°04'W | 1.30 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 80K | 0 | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado tracked along highway 4 near Pine Hill. It picked up 2 mobile homes, took them 35 ft into the air, and brought them down on top of a 35 ft by 75 ft cinder block building 30 yards away completely destroying the mobile homes and the building. Other damage was done to a couple other mobile and permanent homes, and also to a church roof. A second 12 ft by 24 ft cinder block building was also demolished. | |||||||||||
| 47.9 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 33°28'N / 81°02'W | 33°31'N / 81°03'W | 3.80 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Orangeburg |
| 49.1 | 1964-08-29 | 2 | 34°08'N / 81°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 49.4 | 1978-07-25 | 2 | 33°34'N / 81°08'W | 0.10 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Orangeburg | |
| 49.7 | 1994-08-16 | 3 | 33°55'N / 81°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lexington | |
| Brief Description: Tornado completely destroyed a square stick frame home. | |||||||||||
| 49.7 | 1994-08-16 | 2 | 33°54'N / 81°15'W | 2.00 Miles | 25 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lexington | |
| Brief Description: Tornado demolished the north portion of a mini-warehouse complex near the SC602 and SC6 intersection. It moved northward and overturned three cars in Redbank, blew down trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.