FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sumrall as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumrall gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1990.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Sumrall faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Sumrall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sumrall, and Sumrall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sumrall’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $566K a year in losses across Sumrall: $397K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sumrall flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sumrall, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $2K
Sumrall isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lamar County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sumrall
Disasters that paid out in Sumrall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sumrall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding73 households applied for aid$273K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$412K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac70 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,718 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods43 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Lamar County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Sumrall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sumrall archive →Get ready for what Sumrall faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sumrall
Is Sumrall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumrall has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sumrall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Sumrall since 1990, $21K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (1).
Is Sumrall in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lamar County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sumrall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sumrall’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sumrall?
By FEMA money that reached Sumrall, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,718 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Sumrall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Sumrall’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sumrall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sumrall’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.