Coffee County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13069 · population 43,015 · 592 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 417 records for Coffee County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 275 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (267 records). The deadliest single record is the September 27, 2024 hurricane, filed for the forecast zone Coffee, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1974, 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
- 417on 275 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 142 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $39Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 28strongest EF2
- 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 Coffee County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 267 since 1962. 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 | 267 | 199 | 1962-2026 | 0 | 7 | $859K | 63 of 159 |
| Hail | 55 | 38 | 1980-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 123 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 28 | 27 | 1955-2024 | 0 | 34 | $35M | 51 of 159 |
| Floods | 18 | 14 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | 115 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 16 | 10 | 2008-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 9 | 9 | 2000-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 159 |
| Drought | 7 | 7 | 2025-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 147 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 7 | 7 | 2004-2024 | 1 | 0 | – | 143 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 6 | 5 | 2010-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 143 of 159 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 1 | $13K | 120 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 36 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 Coffee County had?
NOAA records 28 tornadoes in Coffee County from 1955 to 2024, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 34 injuries recorded in the county. That is 51st of 159 Georgia counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 27 tornadoes whose track touched Coffee County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 28: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Coffee County (28)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-26 | Broxton, Coffee County | EF0 0.46 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-01-09 | Nicholls, Coffee County | EF1 4.17 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-01-09 | Nicholls, Coffee County | EF1 4.37 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-01-22 | Douglas Municipal Airport, Coffee County | EF1 3.66 mi x 210 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-04-24 | Mora, Coffee County | EF2 8.15 mi x 360 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-04-13 | Bushnell, Coffee County | EF0 1.18 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-05-04 | West Green, Coffee County | EF1 1.9 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-01-22 | Mora, Coffee County | EF1 3.11 mi x 1,200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-04-19 | Upton, Coffee County | EF0 3.91 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2009-12-02 | Douglas, Coffee County | EF0 3.23 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2005-03-22 | Douglas, Coffee County | F0 3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-09-16 | Ambrose, Coffee County | F0 2 mi x 1 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-07-01 | Ambrose, Coffee County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-12-24 | Nicholls, Coffee County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2002-11-12 | Douglas, Coffee County | F2 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $902K |
| 2000-09-22 | West Green, Coffee County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $77K |
| 1998-03-08 | Ambrose, Coffee County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 1998-02-03 | Pridgen, Coffee County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 1997-10-25 | Douglas, Coffee County | F0 0.5 mi x 12 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 1980-04-04 | Coffee County | F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1973-12-30 | Coffee County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1972-06-19 | Coffee County | F2 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1971-05-12 | Coffee County | F2 4.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-02-08 | Coffee County | F1 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 1971-01-05 | Coffee County | F2 3.3 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1969-04-18 | Coffee County | F2 30.8 mi x 233 yd | 0 | 28 | $2.5M step |
| 1961-04-12 | Coffee County | F2 4.9 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1955-04-02 | Coffee County | F1 4 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K 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 Coffee County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 19, 2026 flash flood ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodLotts, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2026-06-19 | Heavy RainWest Green, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Heavy RainNicholls, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Heavy RainBroxton, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodSapps Still, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | $30K | |
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodLehigh, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodBroxton, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodNicholls, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Heavy RainNicholls, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtCoffee County · forecast zone Coffee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-23 | Thunderstorm WindDouglas Municipal Airport, Coffee County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtCoffee County · forecast zone Coffee | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Coffee County · forecast zone Coffee Widespread downed trees and power lines were reported across the county, especially along GA HWY 32. Many roads were blocked due to downed trees and powerlines across the county. There were numerous reports of structural damage and fallen trees on residences destroying roofs and causing some entrapments. Schools to be ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1969-04-18 | TornadoCoffee County | F2 30.8 mi x 233 yd | 0 | 28 | $2.5M step |
| 1998-07-28 | Thunderstorm WindDouglas, Coffee County Three mobile homes destroyed, eight damaged. Large trees and power lines were blown down. | 0 | 6 | $453K | |
| 2002-11-12 | TornadoDouglas, Coffee County 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 ... | F2 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $902K |
| 1971-02-08 | TornadoCoffee County | F1 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 2012-07-01 | LightningNicholls, Coffee County A citizen was struck by lightning and taken to the hospital. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2004-07-07 | Thunderstorm WindPridgen, Coffee County A semi-tractor trailer was blown off U.S. Hwy 441. Driver suffered minor injuries. Some trees were blown down and others were twisted off at the top. | 55 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1971-01-05 | TornadoCoffee County | F2 3.3 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-03-01 | FloodCoffee County · forecast zone Coffee | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2002-11-12 | TornadoDouglas, Coffee County | F2 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $902K |
| 1998-07-28 | Thunderstorm WindDouglas, Coffee County | 0 | 6 | $453K | |
| 2000-09-22 | TornadoWest Green, Coffee County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $77K |
| 1998-03-08 | TornadoAmbrose, Coffee County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindUpton, Coffee County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2025-07-21 | Thunderstorm WindPridgen, Coffee County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodSapps Still, Coffee County | 0 | 0 | $30K |
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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 18, 1969 (tornado, Coffee County); April 4, 1980 (tornado, Coffee 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 Coffee 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 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 28 | 63 | 99 | 56 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 16 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Coffee County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 28 · Feb 21 · Mar 58 · Apr 45 · May 61 · Jun 58 · Jul 65 · Aug 42 · Sep 9 · Oct 11 · Nov 9 · Dec 10 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Coffee County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Coffee County: 11 major disasters, 9 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 |
| 2023-09-07 | DR-4738 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4501 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3464 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-10-14 | DR-4400 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2018-10-10 | EM-3406 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2016-10-06 | EM-3379 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2011-03-25 | FM-2876 | Fire | Mosley Road Fire |
| 2009-04-23 | DR-1833 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-24 | DR-1560 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1991-03-15 | DR-897 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1974-04-05 | DR-425 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
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 Coffee County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 18 flood or flash flood records for Coffee County from 1998 to 2026, on 14 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Coffee County ranks 1710th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 1 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $924,000 on 45 claims filed in Coffee County; the most in one year was 10 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1995: 1 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 6 · 2000: 3 · 2004: 1 · 2009: 10 · 2013: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 4; 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 Coffee County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Coffee County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.2 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 Moderate | $5.2M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $702K | 24 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.3M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $333K | 69 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $620K | once in about 674 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $110K | once in about 1,241 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $334K | 3.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.9M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Coffee 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 Coffee CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Coffee County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis