Effingham County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13103 · population 64,648 · 479 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 588 records for Effingham County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 310 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (362 records). The deadliest single record is the May 12, 1974 tornado: 1 death and 3 injuries. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1977, 15 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
- 588on 310 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 219 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $17Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 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 Effingham County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 362 since 1977. 48% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1977 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 | 362 | 190 | 1977-2026 | 1 | 1 | $1.1M | 48 of 159 |
| Hail | 117 | 72 | 1982-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 51 of 159 |
| Drought | 23 | 23 | 1996-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 133 of 159 |
| Lightning | 19 | 15 | 2001-2025 | 0 | 3 | $170K | 33 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 14 | 1972-2023 | 1 | 14 | $14M | 107 of 159 |
| Floods | 11 | 10 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $95K | 123 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 11 | 11 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 1 | $3K | 128 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 10 | 8 | 2010-2026 | 0 | 0 | $20K | 112 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 8 | 5 | 2004-2015 | 0 | 0 | $8K | 92 of 159 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 121 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 138 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 113 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2009-2026 | 0 | 0 | $344K | 28 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 139 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 Effingham County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Effingham County from 1972 to 2023, the strongest rated EF2, with 1 death and 14 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 15 tornadoes whose track touched Effingham County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people, 1 of them in Effingham County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-04-09 03:45, as SPC files it | Pembroke | F3 | 8 mi | 2 |
| 1974-05-12 04:30, as SPC files it | Rincon | F1 | 2 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Effingham County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-14 | Pineora, Effingham County | EF1 7.04 mi x 280 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-07-07 | Stillwell, Effingham County | EF1 1.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2020-09-17 | Blanford, Effingham County | EF1 2.66 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-02-09 | Pineora, Effingham County | EF1 4.31 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-03-15 | Rincon, Effingham County | EF2 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $4.1M |
| 2008-03-15 | Springfield, Effingham County | EF2 7 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 6 | $2.1M |
| 2006-06-13 | Springfield, Effingham County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 1998-04-09 | Eden, Effingham County | F2 8 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 1 | $905K |
| 1995-11-07 | Effingham County | F1 8.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 1 | $97K |
| 1984-05-03 | Effingham County | F1 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-04-08 | Effingham County | F1 1.9 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1976-02-01 | Effingham County | F1 8.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-05-03 | Effingham County | F2 5.4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 1974-05-12 | Effingham County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 1 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1972-10-27 | Effingham County | F2 1 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $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 Effingham County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,250 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindClyo, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindMarlow, Effingham County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindSpringfield, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindStillwell, Effingham County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindGuyton, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindTusculum, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindTusculum, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindSpringfield, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindSpringfield, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindGuyton, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindMarlow, Effingham County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindTusculum, Effingham County | 60 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-05-12 | TornadoEffingham County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 1 | 3 | $250K step |
| 2010-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindMarlow, Effingham County An emergency manager reported a 44 inch diameter tree blown down on Highway 17 near Blue Jay Road. A small truck hit the tree after it had fallen. The driver was killed. | 50 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2008-03-15 | TornadoSpringfield, Effingham County An EF2 Tornado was confirmed by a Storm Survey conducted by the Charleston, South Carolina National Weather Service Forecast Office. The Tornado touched down in Effingham county 1 mile northeast of Springfield, Georgia at 934 PM EDT and traveled southeast approximately 7 miles before lifting at 943 PM EDT about 6 ... | EF2 7 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 6 | $2.1M |
| 1975-05-03 | TornadoEffingham County | F2 5.4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 2024-05-06 | LightningPineora, Effingham County Effingham County Fire Department reported a lightning strike at a home on Taylor Drive near Guyton. The lightning strike resulted in one injury and also caused a small fire in the attic. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2023-08-30 | Tropical StormEffingham County · forecast zone Effingham An Effingham County emergency manager and fire department reported 5 trees and 1 power line down across the county due to winds associated with Hurricane Idalia as it transitioned to Tropical Storm Idalia. One tree fell onto a home, causing structural damage. One tree fell onto a car and another tree fell in a roadway ... | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2023-08-15 | Thunderstorm WindMarlow, Effingham County An Effingham County emergency manager reported a tree fell onto police car near the intersection of Midland Road and Highway 17. The police officer transported to hospital with minor injuries. | 45 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $8K |
| 2021-07-07 | TornadoStillwell, Effingham County A National Weather Service (NWS) storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado occurred near Springfield in Effingham County. The tornado began just north of Stillwell Road and east of Mock Road at Mose Mock Farms where the tops of several trees were sheared off, large branches were blown down, and a carport ... | EF1 1.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-03-15 | TornadoRincon, Effingham County | EF2 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $4.1M |
| 2008-03-15 | TornadoSpringfield, Effingham County | EF2 7 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 6 | $2.1M |
| 2006-05-14 | HailRincon, Effingham County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.5M |
| 1998-04-09 | TornadoEden, Effingham County | F2 8 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 1 | $905K |
| 2011-04-05 | Thunderstorm WindRincon, Effingham County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $351K |
| 2009-03-24 | WildfireEffingham County · forecast zone Effingham | 0 | 0 | $344K | |
| 1995-11-07 | TornadoEffingham County | F1 8.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 1 | $97K |
| 2025-07-10 | LightningBlanford, Effingham County | 0 | 0 | $10K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 12, 1974 (tornado, Effingham County, 1 killed); May 3, 1975 (tornado, Effingham County); October 27, 1972 (tornado, Effingham 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 Effingham 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 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 30 | 92 | 148 | 80 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 38 | 51 | 15 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
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 1977 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 20 · Feb 17 · Mar 53 · Apr 57 · May 72 · Jun 134 · Jul 98 · Aug 91 · Sep 23 · Oct 9 · Nov 9 · Dec 5 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Effingham County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Effingham County: 7 major disasters, 10 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (8) 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 |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 |
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 Effingham County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 11 flood or flash flood records for Effingham County from 1998 to 2025, on 10 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Effingham County ranks 1437th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.1 million on 77 claims filed in Effingham County; the most in one year was 32 in 2024. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1990: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1994: 3 · 1995: 6 · 1996: 1 · 1998: 5 · 1999: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2024: 32; 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 Effingham County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Effingham County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $25.1 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 | $11M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $1.5M | 8.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 371 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $254K | once in about 1,121 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.5M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $291K | 68 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $124K | 24 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Effingham 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 Effingham CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Effingham County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis