Elbert County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13105 · population 19,609 · 351 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 341 records for Elbert County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 276 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (129 records). The deadliest single record is the August 1, 1999 heat, filed for the forecast zone Elbert, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1977, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
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
- 341on 276 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 135 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $9.6Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 2026
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 Elbert County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 129 since 1955. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 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 | 129 | 114 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 1 | $169K | 68 of 159 |
| Hail | 60 | 48 | 1968-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 45 | 39 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $864K | 36 of 159 |
| Drought | 41 | 41 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 159 |
| Floods | 26 | 23 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $621K | 35 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 13 | 1954-2025 | 0 | 34 | $5.6M | 72 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $712K | 101 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 8 | 8 | 1998-2017 | 0 | 0 | $146K | 57 of 159 |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 1999-2012 | 1 | 0 | – | 127 of 159 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 1999-2022 | 0 | 0 | $76K | 115 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 1999-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 94 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 136 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 159 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 Elbert County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Elbert County from 1954 to 2025, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 34 injuries recorded in the county. That is 72nd 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 15 tornadoes whose track touched Elbert County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Elbert County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-09 | Fortsonia, Elbert County | EF1 0.65 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2023-08-03 | Bowman, Elbert County | EF0 0.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-05-03 | Silk Mills, Elbert County | EF1 0.13 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2008-03-15 | Elberton, Elbert County | EF2 8.04 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $137K |
| 2004-09-16 | Elberton, Elbert County | F1 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2004-09-16 | Fortsonia, Elbert County | F1 7.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $156K |
| 2003-05-06 | Ruckersville, Elbert County | F1 6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2003-05-06 | Bowman, Elbert County | F2 4 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 12 | $321K |
| 2001-02-16 | Bowman, Elbert County | F0 3 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 1998-05-07 | Elberton, Elbert County | F0 0.1 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 1980-07-24 | Elbert County | F1 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1980-04-13 | Elbert County | F1 17.7 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1972-03-02 | Elbert County | F1 8.2 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1971-07-19 | Elbert County | F1 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1954-03-31 | Elbert County | F2 7.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 20 | $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 Elbert County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 1, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindPearl, Elbert County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindMontevideo, Elbert County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-05-24 | Thunderstorm WindElberton Elbert Airport, Elbert County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindRuckersville, Elbert County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Heavy SnowElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Ice StormElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-08 | HailSilk Mills, Elbert County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-09 | TornadoFortsonia, Elbert County | EF1 0.65 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindDewey Rose, Elbert County | 50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-08-01 | HeatElbert County · forecast zone Elbert More than a week of high temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees combined with high humidity, caused heat stress related injuries and a death. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1954-03-31 | TornadoElbert County | F2 7.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 20 | $250K step |
| 2003-05-06 | TornadoBowman, Elbert County This tornado moved from Madison County into northwest Elbert County and intensified, destroying or severely damaging several houses and mobile homes. A parked car was also flipped before the tornado lifted. | F2 4 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 12 | $321K |
| 2006-09-28 | Thunderstorm WindElberton, Elbert County Widespread tree damage in locations in and around Elberton. There was also some light structural damage. A man was injured and knocked unconscious for a while when a tree fell on his vehicle. Power was out to much of the city for several hours. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2004-09-16 | TornadoFortsonia, Elbert County This tornado touched down near Fortsonia, causing damage to a house. A resident of the house received minor injuries. Damage was mainly restricted to trees along the the remainder of the path. | F1 7.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $156K |
| 1980-04-13 | TornadoElbert County | F1 17.7 mi x 33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Tropical StormElbert County · forecast zone Elbert | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2003-05-06 | TornadoBowman, Elbert County | F2 4 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 12 | $321K |
| 2021-10-07 | Flash FloodBowman, Elbert County | 0 | 0 | $272K | |
| 2004-09-16 | TornadoFortsonia, Elbert County | F1 7.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $156K |
| 2021-05-03 | TornadoSilk Mills, Elbert County | EF1 0.13 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2001-02-16 | TornadoBowman, Elbert County | F0 3 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 2025-06-09 | TornadoFortsonia, Elbert County | EF1 0.65 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 1998-05-07 | TornadoElberton, Elbert County | F0 0.1 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
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: March 31, 1954 (tornado, Elbert County); March 2, 1972 (tornado, Elbert 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 Elbert 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 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 22 | 40 | 26 | 19 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 25 | 4 | 4 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 20 | 11 | 8 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 5 | 28 | 6 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 23 · Mar 29 · Apr 32 · May 34 · Jun 41 · Jul 41 · Aug 30 · Sep 18 · Oct 10 · Nov 20 · Dec 28 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Elbert County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Elbert County: 7 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3642 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-30 | DR-4830 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3616 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4501 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3464 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-10-10 | EM-3406 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2015-04-20 | DR-4215 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-24 | DR-1560 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 2004-09-18 | DR-1554 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 2000-01-28 | DR-1311 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 Elbert County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 26 flood or flash flood records for Elbert County from 1996 to 2024, on 23 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Elbert County ranks 2590th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $14,000 on 5 claims filed in Elbert County; the most in one year was 2 in 1983. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1980: 1 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 2; 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 Elbert County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Elbert County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $6.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $238K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $763K | 3.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $497K | once in about 19 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $606K | once in about 367 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $141K | 56 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $220K | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $557K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $618K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Elbert 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 Elbert CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Elbert County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis