Bryan County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13029 · population 44,426 · 438 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 319 records for Bryan County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 217 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (132 records). The deadliest single record is the April 9, 1998 tornado: 2 deaths, 16 injuries and $4.0 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1966, 19 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Helene” on September 30, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 319on 217 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 329 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest EF4
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Bryan County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 132 since 1956. 48% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Georgia's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 132 | 110 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 0 | $268K | 110 of 159 |
| Hail | 65 | 49 | 1970-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 70 of 159 |
| Drought | 46 | 23 | 1996-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 132 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 21 | 12 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | 115 of 159 |
| Floods | 15 | 10 | 2003-2025 | 0 | 0 | $37K | 119 of 159 |
| Heat | 10 | 5 | 1996-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 116 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 7 | 1979-2022 | 3 | 28 | $4.1M | 147 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 7 | 5 | 2010-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 135 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 5 | 2004-2008 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 89 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 2 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 136 of 159 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 3 | 3 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 159 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2000-2000 | 0 | 1 | – | 144 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2009-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 133 of 159 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Bryan County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Bryan County from 1979 to 2022, the strongest rated EF4, with 3 deaths and 28 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 9 tornadoes whose track touched Bryan County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 7 people, 3 of them in Bryan County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-04-09 04:35, as SPC files it | Hinesville to Richmond Hill | F2 | 24.5 mi | 4 |
| 1998-04-09 03:45, as SPC files it | Pembroke | F3 | 8 mi | 2 |
| 2022-04-05 15:18, as SPC files it | Pembroke | EF4 | 14.39 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Bryan County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-05 | Reka, Bryan County | EF4 14.39 mi x 1,300 yd | 1 | 12 | – |
| 2020-04-13 | Keller, Bryan County | EF0 3.09 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-09-06 | Richmond Hill, Bryan County | F0 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-04-09 | Pembroke, Bryan County | F3 8 mi x 440 yd | 2 | 16 | $4.0M |
| 1998-04-09 | Richmond Hill, Bryan County | F1 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-11-07 | Richmond Hill, Bryan County | F0 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1980-08-21 | Bryan County | F1 0.1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1979-07-05 | Bryan County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Bryan County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-08-23 | Flash FloodRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-23 | Flash FloodRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-22 | Flash FloodDaniel, Bryan County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-02 | Thunderstorm WindKeller, Bryan County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-08-01 | Thunderstorm WindRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-01 | Thunderstorm WindRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-01 | Thunderstorm WindRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-08 | HailArden, Bryan County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-08 | HailLanier, Bryan County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-16 | HailKeller, Bryan County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter StormBryan County · forecast zone Coastal Bryan | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-04-09 | TornadoPembroke, Bryan County Tornado first touched down just northeast of Pembroke and then crossed I-16 at the Olive Branch Road overpass (about 2 miles west of exit 29) then continued northeast. Significant damage occurred in the Olive Branch Rd. area and also just north of Blitchton, where a 38 year-old female and a 41 year old male were ... | F3 8 mi x 440 yd | 2 | 16 | $4.0M |
| 2022-04-05 | TornadoReka, Bryan County A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-4 tornado with estimated maximum wind speed of 185 mph in Bryan County Georgia. The violent tornado began just west of the Bryan County Courthouse in Pembroke, where it damaged part of the roof, blew out some windows, and snapped numerous trees. The tornado ... | EF4 14.39 mi x 1,300 yd | 1 | 12 | – |
| 2000-09-04 | LightningPembroke, Bryan County Lightning struck the chief of police as he attempted to unplug several computers during a thunderstorm. The lightning strike blew the sockets off the walls, broke a water line, and damaged the station's phones, fax, and computers. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-04-09 | TornadoPembroke, Bryan County | F3 8 mi x 440 yd | 2 | 16 | $4.0M |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical StormBryan County · forecast zone Coastal Bryan | 0 | 0 | $542K | |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical DepressionBryan County · forecast zone Inland Bryan | 0 | 0 | $542K | |
| 2006-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindRichmond Hill, Bryan County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-08-02 | Thunderstorm WindKeller, Bryan County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: August 21, 1980 (tornado, Bryan County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Bryan County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 39 | 35 | 23 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 22 | 21 | 9 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 6 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
48% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 14 · Feb 11 · Mar 13 · Apr 36 · May 39 · Jun 62 · Jul 43 · Aug 44 · Sep 31 · Oct 16 · Nov 7 · Dec 3 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Bryan County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Bryan County: 9 major disasters, 11 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for hurricane (9) and tropical storm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-30 | DR-4830 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3616 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-24 | DR-4821 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2024-08-05 | EM-3607 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4501 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3464 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-09-01 | EM-3422 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| 2018-10-10 | EM-3406 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2016-10-08 | DR-4284 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2016-10-06 | EM-3379 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2007-05-31 | FM-2697 | Fire | Harveytown Fire |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1999-09-14 | EM-3144 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-10-19 | DR-1042 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornados, Flooding, High Winds |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1977-06-02 | DR-536 | Freezing | Shrimp Loss Due to Cold Weather |
| 1966-03-14 | DR-214 | Flood | Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Bryan County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 15 flood or flash flood records for Bryan County from 2003 to 2025, on 10 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Bryan County ranks 777th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma | 2017-09-11 | 2 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $5.8 million on 285 claims filed in Bryan County; the most in one year was 81 in 2024. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1983: 1 · 1987: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 2 · 1994: 14 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 7 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 4 · 1999: 13 · 2000: 1 · 2002: 3 · 2003: 3 · 2005: 10 · 2007: 5 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 6 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 2 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 50 · 2017: 36 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 81 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 3; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Bryan County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bryan County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $33.0 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively High | $21M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $897K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $526K | once in about 545 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $1.0M | 8.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $699K | once in about 442 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.6M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $175K | 69 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Bryan County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in GeorgiaEvery Georgia tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in GeorgiaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Georgia recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Bryan CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Bryan County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis