Jacksonville, GA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Jacksonville is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Jacksonville is lower than Georgia average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #601
| Jacksonville, GA | 0.01 |
| Georgia | 0.08 |
| 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
| Jacksonville, GA | 0.0000 |
| Georgia | 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, #487
| Jacksonville, GA | 141.30 |
| Georgia | 179.92 |
| 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 2,122 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Jacksonville, GA 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: | 12 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 21 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 89 | Hail: | 490 | Heat: | 8 | Heavy Snow: | 9 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 3 | Ice Storm: | 3 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 17 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,324 | Tropical Storm: | 8 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 5 | Winter Weather: | 4 |
| Other: | 126 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Jacksonville, GA.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Jacksonville, GA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 41.4 | 1976-12-27 | 3.7 | 5 | 32.22 | -82.46 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 54 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Jacksonville, GA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.8 | 1957-04-08 | 3 | 31°51'N / 83°05'W | 31°51'N / 82°50'W | 14.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Telfair |
| 9.8 | 1982-12-29 | 2 | 31°56'N / 83°04'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Telfair | |
| 14.8 | 1971-05-12 | 2 | 31°36'N / 82°54'W | 31°38'N / 82°51'W | 4.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 17.3 | 1963-06-14 | 2 | 31°43'N / 83°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Ben Hill | |
| 17.7 | 1967-06-19 | 2 | 31°42'N / 83°15'W | 0.90 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ben Hill | |
| 20.5 | 1958-11-28 | 2 | 32°06'N / 83°04'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dodge | |
| 20.8 | 1961-02-24 | 2 | 32°05'N / 83°08'W | 0.50 Mile | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Baldwin | |
| 22.2 | 1971-01-05 | 2 | 31°31'N / 82°50'W | 31°30'N / 82°53'W | 3.30 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 22.3 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 31°26'N / 83°08'W | 31°34'N / 82°38'W | 30.80 Miles | 233 Yards | 0 | 28 | 2.5M | 0 | Coffee |
| 23.7 | 1972-06-19 | 2 | 31°29'N / 82°52'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Coffee | |
| 25.1 | 1971-04-23 | 2 | 32°01'N / 83°20'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 26.1 | 2002-11-12 | 2 | 31°26'N / 82°56'W | 31°27'N / 82°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 50K | Coffee |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down in field along the Atkinson-Coffee County line near Marshal Corbet Road. Just inside of Coffee county one wood frame structure had a portion of its roof removed. Three large 100 yard long chicken houses were totally destroyed and machinery tossed about. One automobile was picked up and landed on the roof of a brick structure. Extensive roof damage to brick structure. Several work sheds destroyed. Trees snapped off and twisted at tops with debris wrapped in tree tops. Numerous large live oak trees felled. Clear evidence of rotation was noted by investigating officials. The storm continued north in a discontinuous path doing damage to cotton fields. the tornado crossed Highway 135 at the Satilla River with trees again snapped and twisted at the tops. Approximately 1 mile north of the Satilla River the tornado passed over an airstrip destroying a hanger/office structure and severely damaging a crop dusting aircraft. Debris from the destroyed chicken houses was identified at this site some 3 miles from its point of origin. This was the final discernable touchdown, although there was some evidence from debris further north that the system continued as a funnel cloud just above tree top level into southeast Douglas. | |||||||||||
| 26.3 | 1971-01-15 | 2 | 31°38'N / 82°35'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bacon | |||
| 27.8 | 2007-04-15 | 2 | 32°11'N / 83°10'W | 32°12'N / 83°07'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0K | Dodge |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet another tornado touched down in Dodge county and traveled very near the city of Eastman once again. This tornado was from a different complex of thunderstorms than the one that caused the first tornado earlier. However, this was the same complex of thunderstorms that caused the tornado earlier in Crisp county. This time the tornado touched down one mile south of downtown Eastman, traveling northeast. The total path length was 4.5 miles with a maximum path width of 200 yards. The maximum wind speed within the tornado was estimated to be 120 mph. The Dodge County Road Department's garage was destroyed. Two mobile homes in the area were destroyed. A nearby home suffered significant damage when parts of its roof, an exterior wall, and patio were removed. An adjacent barn was also destroyed. Several other homes in the area sustained minor damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The fourth tornado outbreak of the year for the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area, and the second major tornado outbreak for the year, occurred across the southern portion of the forecast area, or central Georgia. A broad upper trough over the central U.S. was tracking eastward while a surface low deepened rapidly as it moved from northern Mississippi into eastern Virginia. A strong low-level jet accompanied the system with 50-60 knot winds observed at 850mb across central and south Georgia late in the day on the 14th. The low-level jet transported deep Gulf moisture northward into the region. Sunshine during the early part of the day destabilized the region sufficiently to allow for strong to severe supercell thunderstorms to track across central Georgia just south of a warm frontal boundary across north Georgia. Damage surveys confirmed that nine tornadoes tracked across central Georgia, including many of the same areas that were affected during the major tornado outbreak on March 1st. The was the second most significant tornado outbreak to impact the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area since the August 29, 2005 outbreak associated with Hurricane Katrinia. The state insurance commissioner reported that at least 81 site-built homes, 28 mobile homes, and 10 businesses were damaged or destroyed during the event. Damages to structures alone were near $5 million, with additional damages the result of downed trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 30.0 | 1961-04-12 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°40'W | 31°30'N / 82°35'W | 4.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 31.0 | 1964-04-08 | 2 | 31°22'N / 82°55'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Atkinson | |
| 31.5 | 1967-05-22 | 2 | 31°33'N / 83°25'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Tift | |
| 31.9 | 1963-01-20 | 2 | 32°02'N / 82°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 31.9 | 1966-02-28 | 2 | 32°02'N / 82°30'W | 0.90 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 33.0 | 1952-05-11 | 3 | 31°22'N / 83°15'W | 31°24'N / 83°12'W | 4.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Berrien |
| 35.4 | 1997-10-26 | 2 | 31°32'N / 82°26'W | 31°36'N / 82°28'W | 6.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 200K | 0 | Bacon |
| Brief Description: Ten homes destroyed, four with major damage, and 17 sustained minor damage. A four mile line of standing pine timber was completely destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 35.5 | 1955-04-02 | 2 | 31°32'N / 83°31'W | 31°33'N / 83°28'W | 3.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Tift |
| 36.0 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°32'N / 83°39'W | 31°37'N / 83°24'W | 15.80 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tift |
| 37.1 | 1989-11-08 | 2 | 32°07'N / 83°30'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 37.3 | 1969-05-15 | 2 | 31°28'N / 83°28'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Tift | |
| 37.8 | 1961-04-12 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°35'W | 31°30'N / 82°19'W | 15.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Bacon |
| 38.2 | 1962-01-06 | 2 | 31°36'N / 82°24'W | 31°39'N / 82°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bacon |
| 39.7 | 1968-08-24 | 2 | 31°40'N / 83°38'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 12 | 250K | 0 | Turner | |
| 39.8 | 1961-04-03 | 2 | 31°48'N / 82°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Appling | |
| 40.8 | 1958-11-28 | 2 | 31°58'N / 83°39'W | 0.60 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crisp | |
| 41.8 | 1996-11-08 | 2 | 32°23'N / 83°10'W | 32°25'N / 83°08'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 6 | 200K | 0 | Dodge |
| Brief Description: A mixture of severe thunderstorm winds and tornado damage occurred in a track from near Chester in northern Dodge county into Laurens county. In Dodge county near the intersection of highways 257 and 126 down-burst/straight-line winds pushed over several very large oak and sycamore trees, blew the tin roof off of an older home, and blew the steeple off of a church. The roof was lifted from a stronger, well-built home about three-quarters of a mile from the Dodge/Laruens county line. A tornado touched down just inside Dodge county near the Dodge/Laurens county line destroying a double-wide mobile home. A seven year old girl was killed and six other family members were injured. Victims were found in a wooded area as far as 200 yards away from where the mobile home had stood. The home had not been tied down. F7MH | |||||||||||
| 42.2 | 2007-12-15 | 2 | 32°20'N / 82°39'W | 32°22'N / 82°37'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Treutlen |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a tornado, an EF2 at maximum intensity, tracked across southwest Treutlen county, west of Soperton. The tornado touched down as an EF1 in a heavily forested area approximately one mile southwest of Lothair. Significant tree damage was noted within the forested area as a result of the tornado. The tornado then strengthened to an EF2 as it moved northeast and reached the town of Lothair where a fire department building on Georgia Highway 199 was destroyed. The tornado then weakened back to an EF1 as it continued moving northeastward. A mobile home, about 1.5 miles northeast of Lothair, was completely destroyed by the tornado and another home was moved off its foundation. The tornado then weakened to an EF0 another mile to the northeast and lifted, but not before ripping a carport off a home and throwing it approximately 50 yards across the street. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong negatively titled upper atmospheric disturbance and associated strong cold front were moving through the southeast states late on December 15th. Unseasonably warm conditions had prevailed across this region of the country throughout the preceding days, while much colder weather and significant winter weather prevailed to the northwest across the southern plains and midwest. A wedge of cool air was intensifying across north central and northeast Georgia, with the front marking this wedge of cooler air lying across central and southeast Georgia. Meanwhile, deep coastal low development along the mid-Atlantic coast was underway as the upper trough rotated into the southeast states. The combination of these strong dynamics, a strong low-level jet, and unseasonably warm, moist air across southeast Georgia in advance of the front and upper disturbance resulted in the development of thunderstorms across south Georgia. As the storms moved northeast and encountered the wedge front, they quickly became rotating supercells spawning three tornadoes in a one-hour period across the southeast portion of the Peachtree City, Georgia Weather Forecast Office County Warning Area. | |||||||||||
| 43.1 | 2007-04-15 | 2 | 32°25'N / 82°57'W | 32°27'N / 82°51'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 400K | 0K | Laurens |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, GA confirmed that an EF2 tornado had touched down in central Laurens county, about 8.5 miles south-southwest of Dublin, or just south of Garetta, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 441/319 and Georgia Highway 117. The tornado traveled east-northeast across Turkey Creek Church Road, lifting approximately 5.5 miles south-southeast of Dublin near the Oconee River. The tornado had a path length of approximately six miles and a maximum path width of 200 yards. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 120 mph. Most of the damage caused by the tornado was along Turkey Creek Church Road between U.S. Highway 441 and the Oconee River. A tied-down double-wide mobile home was completely destroyed along Turkey Creek Church Road resulting in two injuries. Another tied-down mobile home was destroyed in the same area with two adults and two children inside. All occupants survived, but one sustained minor injuries. The carport of a site-built home was removed as well as a portion of the roof. Several other mobile homes and site-built homes sustained minor damage from wind and fallen trees. A large greenhouse was also destroyed. A number of trees and power lines were down all along the path of the tornado. A few trees were also down just prior to the path of the tornado near Rentz and Cadwell. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The fourth tornado outbreak of the year for the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area, and the second major tornado outbreak for the year, occurred across the southern portion of the forecast area, or central Georgia. A broad upper trough over the central U.S. was tracking eastward while a surface low deepened rapidly as it moved from northern Mississippi into eastern Virginia. A strong low-level jet accompanied the system with 50-60 knot winds observed at 850mb across central and south Georgia late in the day on the 14th. The low-level jet transported deep Gulf moisture northward into the region. Sunshine during the early part of the day destabilized the region sufficiently to allow for strong to severe supercell thunderstorms to track across central Georgia just south of a warm frontal boundary across north Georgia. Damage surveys confirmed that nine tornadoes tracked across central Georgia, including many of the same areas that were affected during the major tornado outbreak on March 1st. The was the second most significant tornado outbreak to impact the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area since the August 29, 2005 outbreak associated with Hurricane Katrinia. The state insurance commissioner reported that at least 81 site-built homes, 28 mobile homes, and 10 businesses were damaged or destroyed during the event. Damages to structures alone were near $5 million, with additional damages the result of downed trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 43.1 | 1968-06-02 | 2 | 32°13'N / 82°25'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Toombs | |
| 43.3 | 1972-01-05 | 2 | 32°11'N / 83°36'W | 32°11'N / 83°33'W | 3.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Montgomery |
| 44.0 | 1957-11-29 | 2 | 31°28'N / 82°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Bacon | |
| 44.2 | 2008-05-11 | 3 | 32°20'N / 82°34'W | 32°19'N / 82°29'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0K | Treutlen |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF3 tornado, the strongest tornado of the 15 separate tornadoes to affect north and central Georgia this Mother's Day, touched down approximately three miles south-southeast of Soperton, then tracked east-southeast across southern Treutlen county and into extreme northeastern Montgomery county. The second floor of a two-story home was completely removed by the tornado. Numerous sheds and outbuildings were destroyed along the path of the tornado. Trees and power lines were also down along the path of the tornado. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary front was draped across north Georgia early on May 10th with an active northwest flow aloft. Meanwhile...a vigorous short wave aloft was approaching the area from the southern plains. The stationary front provided the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, one early in the morning on the 10th and another in the afternoon. The activity tracked east-southeast with the upper flow aloft, mainly across north Georgia during the early morning and across central Georgia during the afternoon. An isolated strong supercell also tracked across the southern part of central Georgia during the evening. After a lull of convective activity for about four hours, intense multicell thunderstorms tracked into the area from Alabama after midnight and before dawn on the 11th. As these thunderstorms tracked across west central and central Georgia, 15 tornadoes were identified by subsequent surveys making this the most significant tornado outbreak to affect the area since the Katrina-associated tornadoes on August 29, 2005. Millions of dollars of property damage were reported as many homes were destroyed from these tornadoes from the western and southern suburbs of Atlanta southeastward across Macon, Dublin, and other counties in east central and southeast Georgia. Many of these counties were eligible for disaster assistance from the federal government. In addition to the tornadoes and thunderstorm winds that caused extensive damage in dozens of counties across north and central Georgia during the early morning hours of May 11th, strong gradient winds developed on the back side of the strong cold front that moved through the area as low pressure intensified across the mid-Atlantic region. The strong winds combined with wet ground resulted in dozens of trees being blown down in some north Georgia counties. There were also two deaths as a result of downed trees in Barrow and Gwinnett county, all non-thunderstorm-related winds. | |||||||||||
| 45.0 | 1972-03-16 | 2 | 32°23'N / 83°21'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 12 | 250K | 0 | Bleckley | |
| 45.5 | 1958-01-24 | 2 | 32°23'N / 83°22'W | 1.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 16 | 250K | 0 | Bleckley | |
| 45.5 | 1971-01-15 | 2 | 32°23'N / 83°22'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bleckley | |
| 45.6 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 32°01'N / 83°41'W | 32°04'N / 83°44'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dooly |
| 45.9 | 2008-05-11 | 3 | 32°19'N / 82°29'W | 32°19'N / 82°27'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0K | Montgomery |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF3 tornado, that initially touched down approximately three miles south-southeast of Soperton, continued on an east-southeastward track approximately seven miles into extreme northeast Montgomery county. The tornado likely weakened to less than EF3 intensity as it entered Montgomery county. A number of outbuildings and sheds were destroyed along the path of the tornado in northeast Montgomery county. A number of trees and power lines were also downed. However, no damage to any homes was observed or reported in Montgomery county. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary front was draped across north Georgia early on May 10th with an active northwest flow aloft. Meanwhile...a vigorous short wave aloft was approaching the area from the southern plains. The stationary front provided the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, one early in the morning on the 10th and another in the afternoon. The activity tracked east-southeast with the upper flow aloft, mainly across north Georgia during the early morning and across central Georgia during the afternoon. An isolated strong supercell also tracked across the southern part of central Georgia during the evening. After a lull of convective activity for about four hours, intense multicell thunderstorms tracked into the area from Alabama after midnight and before dawn on the 11th. As these thunderstorms tracked across west central and central Georgia, 15 tornadoes were identified by subsequent surveys making this the most significant tornado outbreak to affect the area since the Katrina-associated tornadoes on August 29, 2005. Millions of dollars of property damage were reported as many homes were destroyed from these tornadoes from the western and southern suburbs of Atlanta southeastward across Macon, Dublin, and other counties in east central and southeast Georgia. Many of these counties were eligible for disaster assistance from the federal government. In addition to the tornadoes and thunderstorm winds that caused extensive damage in dozens of counties across north and central Georgia during the early morning hours of May 11th, strong gradient winds developed on the back side of the strong cold front that moved through the area as low pressure intensified across the mid-Atlantic region. The strong winds combined with wet ground resulted in dozens of trees being blown down in some north Georgia counties. There were also two deaths as a result of downed trees in Barrow and Gwinnett county, all non-thunderstorm-related winds. | |||||||||||
| 46.4 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°31'N / 83°44'W | 31°32'N / 83°39'W | 5.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Worth |
| 46.5 | 1961-06-26 | 2 | 32°24'N / 83°22'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bleckley | |
| 46.5 | 2008-05-11 | 2 | 32°15'N / 82°23'W | 32°15'N / 82°22'W | 1.00 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 500K | 0K | Toombs |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down in extreme northwest Toombs county, approxmiately three miles south-southwest of Normantown. This tornado was spawned by the same thunderstorm that less than 10 minutes prior had spanwed an EF3 tornado, the strongest tornado of this event, just south of Soperton in Treutlen county, which tracked into extreme northeast Montgomery county. This first tornado in Toombs county was only on the ground for about one mile, but caused considerable damage. Four mobile homes were completely destroyed, resulting in three minor injuries and the displacement of seven families from their homes. A church also sustained heavy damage. Two brick homes were damaged as well as several barns, sheds, and storage buildings. In addition a tractor-trailer rig was overturned. Some 200 to 300 pine trees were also blown down in the area. The tornado path width was determined to be 150 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary front was draped across north Georgia early on May 10th with an active northwest flow aloft. Meanwhile...a vigorous short wave aloft was approaching the area from the southern plains. The stationary front provided the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, one early in the morning on the 10th and another in the afternoon. The activity tracked east-southeast with the upper flow aloft, mainly across north Georgia during the early morning and across central Georgia during the afternoon. An isolated strong supercell also tracked across the southern part of central Georgia during the evening. After a lull of convective activity for about four hours, intense multicell thunderstorms tracked into the area from Alabama after midnight and before dawn on the 11th. As these thunderstorms tracked across west central and central Georgia, 15 tornadoes were identified by subsequent surveys making this the most significant tornado outbreak to affect the area since the Katrina-associated tornadoes on August 29, 2005. Millions of dollars of property damage were reported as many homes were destroyed from these tornadoes from the western and southern suburbs of Atlanta southeastward across Macon, Dublin, and other counties in east central and southeast Georgia. Many of these counties were eligible for disaster assistance from the federal government. In addition to the tornadoes and thunderstorm winds that caused extensive damage in dozens of counties across north and central Georgia during the early morning hours of May 11th, strong gradient winds developed on the back side of the strong cold front that moved through the area as low pressure intensified across the mid-Atlantic region. The strong winds combined with wet ground resulted in dozens of trees being blown down in some north Georgia counties. There were also two deaths as a result of downed trees in Barrow and Gwinnett county, all non-thunderstorm-related winds. | |||||||||||
| 47.1 | 1975-01-12 | 2 | 32°12'N / 82°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Toombs | |
| 48.4 | 1975-01-12 | 2 | 31°27'N / 84°00'W | 31°41'N / 83°30'W | 33.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth |
| 48.6 | 2007-03-02 | 2 | 31°30'N / 83°45'W | 31°31'N / 83°42'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0K | Worth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF-2 tornado touched down on Sumner Lakes Road just south of Sumner. One mobile home was completely destroyed, with the debris blown several hundred yards away. The four occupants inside received warning of the approaching tornado and promptly vacated the home for a reinforced shelter. Of the two dozen structures that were damaged, half were heavily damaged. Numerous utility poles and trees in the path of the tornado were snapped. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of March 1 ahead of advancing warm front across southwest Georgia, producing several reports of wind damage. Later that evening into the predawn hours of March 2, a squall line formed ahead of a cold front, with several reports of wind damage and tornadoes across portions of southwest and south central Georgia. One of the tornadoes tore through a mobile home park just north of Newton, killing six and injuring three. | |||||||||||
| 49.0 | 2009-12-02 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°14'W | 31°31'N / 82°13'W | 1.00 Mile | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down at approximately 1415EST in northwest Pierce County near Merson Road and Crump Road. Several trees were damaged and a farm shed had portions of its sheet metal roof removed. Winds here were estimated to have been near 70 mph or EF-0. The tornado moved northeast across several fields and encountered two small farm structures and a wooded area along Tiny Lane. The structures were completely destroyed with their contents strewn across the wooded area. Extensive tree blow down occurred in the woods with many pines snapped at 10 to 15 feet above ground level. The tornado was estimated to have been an EF-1 event in this location with winds of 110 mph. The funnel continued to move across fields next encountering wooded areas and structures near Scuffletown Road. At this point the funnel was one quarter mile or approximately 440 yards wide with winds estimated at 105 mph. Extensive tree blow down continued here with one mobile home destroyed and substantial damage to a wood frame structure. The tornado crossed the Big Satilla Creek at this point, and crossed into Appling County, continuing on a northeast track. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Strong mid and upper low initially over Texas was moving east-northeast while the upper level trough it was embedded in became negatively tilted. This led to a broad diffluent pattern over most of the southeastern states. As the system approached the right rear quadrant of upper jet moved into the forecast area coincident with a low-level jet of, at least, 60 knots. This created atmospheric dynamics favorable for severe weather, with the only limiting factor being modest instability. A warm front over the area during the morning moved rapidly north in response to increasing southerly flow allowing a gradual increase in low level instability. By afternoon several severe weather events and three tornadoes occurred over portions of southeast Georgia. | |||||||||||
| 49.0 | 1976-03-16 | 2 | 31°28'N / 82°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 49.4 | 2009-12-02 | 2 | 31°31'N / 82°13'W | 31°34'N / 82°11'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Appling |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down at approximately 1415EST in northwest Pierce County near Merson Road and Crump Road. It crossed the Big Satilla Creek, entering into Appling County at this point, and continued on a northeast track. The funnel may have briefly lifted off the ground at this point. The next significant damage occurred along Metts-Overstreet Road with the complete destruction of a singlewide mobile home and a farm shed at approximately 1425EST. Additionally, at this location, a brick cider block structure had one wall knocked over. The tornado then moved into a dairy just west of the intersection of State Road 15 and Wireglass Road. The event was rated as an EF-2 with winds of 135 mph at this location. Three metal building structures were destroyed with one removed from its foundation and blown into a pile of scrap metal. It is possible the funnel may have approached EF-3 at this particular location with winds of 140 to 150 mph; however, other damage to frame and masonry structures at the dairy suggested a lower wind value should be assigned to this area. One individual escaped injury by jumping into a depressed area inside one of the structures before it blew down around her. East of State Road 15, along Wireglass Road, extensive tree blow down and snapping continued in a tree farm. Once again the funnel likely lifted off the ground touching down again at 1430EST near 4230 Antioch Church Road destroying a doublewide mobile home. At this location, two middle aged individuals were in the bedroom, preparing for work, when the funnel destroyed the mobile home. Both escaped with only minor cuts despite the fact that the doublewide was completely obliterated and the frames bent. Once again at this location the winds were rated at 135 mph for a strong EF-2 rating. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Strong mid and upper low initially over Texas was moving east-northeast while the upper level trough it was embedded in became negatively tilted. This led to a broad diffluent pattern over most of the southeastern states. As the system approached the right rear quadrant of upper jet moved into the forecast area coincident with a low-level jet of, at least, 60 knots. This created atmospheric dynamics favorable for severe weather, with the only limiting factor being modest instability. A warm front over the area during the morning moved rapidly north in response to increasing southerly flow allowing a gradual increase in low level instability. By afternoon several severe weather events and three tornadoes occurred over portions of southeast Georgia. | |||||||||||
| 49.5 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 31°34'N / 82°38'W | 31°48'N / 81°40'W | 59.10 Miles | 233 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Bacon |
| 49.8 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°38'N / 83°48'W | 2.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crisp | |
| 49.9 | 1961-04-03 | 2 | 31°35'N / 83°59'W | 31°35'N / 83°35'W | 23.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth |
* 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.