Forsyth County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13117 · population 251,239 · 225 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 497 records for Forsyth County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 378 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (153 records). The deadliest single record is the January 7, 2010 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Forsyth, which covers the county: 1 death and 7 injuries. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1974, 15 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
- 497on 378 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 635 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $64Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 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 Forsyth County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 153 since 1966. 47% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 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 | 153 | 135 | 1966-2025 | 2 | 2 | $6.3M | 15 of 159 |
| Hail | 109 | 80 | 1963-2025 | 0 | 0 | $37M | 6 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 47 | 47 | 1997-2026 | 2 | 11 | $2.0M | 15 of 159 |
| Drought | 39 | 39 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | 25 of 159 |
| Lightning | 36 | 31 | 1998-2017 | 1 | 7 | $6.7M | 3 of 159 |
| Floods | 33 | 27 | 1997-2020 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 5 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 17 | 17 | 1998-2012 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 14 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 17 | 17 | 2002-2024 | 1 | 1 | $121K | 22 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 24 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 10 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 7 | $2.7M | 53 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 6 | 6 | 1998-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2001-2003 | 0 | 0 | $802 | 43 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 7 | $3.4M | 16 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 Forsyth County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Forsyth County from 1959 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 7 injuries recorded in the county. That is 53rd 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Forsyth County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970-04-02 04:00, as SPC files it | Cumming | F3 | 6.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Forsyth County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | Cumming Mathis Airport, Forsyth County | EF1 1.42 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-05-01 | Ducktown, Forsyth County | EF0 2.36 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
| 2016-11-30 | Sinclair Lake, Forsyth County | EF0 1.86 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $18K |
| 2014-10-14 | Drew, Forsyth County | EF0 1.11 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 2009-04-10 | Dunn, Forsyth County | EF1 0.19 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $275K |
| 2005-08-29 | Silver City, Forsyth County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $378K |
| 1975-03-13 | Forsyth County | F1 4.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1975-03-07 | Forsyth County | F1 0.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-04-02 | Forsyth County | F3 6.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-07-11 | Forsyth County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 6 | $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.
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 Forsyth County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 10, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | TornadoCumming Mathis Airport, Forsyth County | EF1 1.42 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-17 | DroughtForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Winter StormForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Ice StormForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindCumming, Forsyth County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindHightower, Forsyth County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindDunn, Forsyth County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-20 | Thunderstorm WindDunn, Forsyth County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-04-10 | HailMars Hill Crossroads, Forsyth County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-10 | HailMars Hill Crossroads, Forsyth County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-10 | HailChestatee, Forsyth County | 1.00 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-01-07 | Winter WeatherForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth The Forsyth County 911 Center reported up to 0.5 inch of snow across the county. A total of 160 traffic accidents were observed across the county. Some secondary roads were closed near Lake Lanier. Seven injuries occurred as a result of these accidents. The most serious accident involved an 11-year old boy who was ... | 1 | 7 | – | |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical StormForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth The Forsyth County Emergency Manager, local law enforcement and the local media reported numerous trees and power lines blown down across the county. A tree fell onto a vehicle in a driveway off of Shadburn Road killing the passenger in the vehicle, a 67 year old female, and injuring the driver. | 1 | 1 | $120K | |
| 2011-11-16 | Thunderstorm WindDrew, Forsyth County The Forsyth County Emergency Management Director reported that a tree fell on a sport utility vehicle (SUV) killing a 51-year old male inside the vehicle. The incident took place on Brookwood Drive near McGinnis Ferry Road in the Johns Creek portion of far southern Forsyth county. The person inside the vehicle was ... | 43 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $26K |
| 2011-01-09 | Heavy SnowForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth The Forsyth County 911 Center reported 6.0 inches of snow across the county. Icey roads contributed to a vehicle accident on Buford Dam Road on 01/14/11 and the death of one male. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2007-06-25 | LightningCumming, Forsyth County WSB Television of Atlanta reported that a 27-year old male construction worker was killed when struck by lightning. The individual was working on a house under construction. He and other workers sought shelter in the structure during the thunderstorm. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1989-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindForsyth County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2004-04-04 | WildfireForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth The Forsyth county Emergency Management Director reported that an outdoor burning incident, fueled by gusty northwest winds at speeds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts over 30 mph and low relative humidity values in the 15 to 20% range, quickly turned into a ravaging out of control fire that destroyed seven homes and damaged ... | 0 | 7 | $3.4M | |
| 1959-07-11 | TornadoForsyth County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 6 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-03-15 | HailCumming, Forsyth County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $6.1M |
| 2013-04-11 | HailHeardville, Forsyth County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $6.0M |
| 2020-05-22 | HailDrew, Forsyth County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $5.7M |
| 2008-03-15 | HailCoal Mtn, Forsyth County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $4.1M |
| 2007-06-12 | HailCumming, Forsyth County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.8M |
| 2008-03-15 | HailDrew, Forsyth County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.4M |
| 2004-04-04 | WildfireForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 7 | $3.4M | |
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtForsyth County · forecast zone Forsyth | 0 | 0 | $3.1M |
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 13, 1975 (tornado, Forsyth 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 Forsyth 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 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 40 | 49 | 24 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 41 | 16 | 13 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 19 | 21 | 4 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 14 | 4 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 5 | 19 | 12 | 0 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 17 | 13 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
47% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 35 · Mar 42 · Apr 58 · May 56 · Jun 74 · Jul 71 · Aug 34 · Sep 37 · Oct 17 · Nov 17 · Dec 21 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Forsyth County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Forsyth County: 9 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (6) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3642 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3616 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2021-01-12 | DR-4579 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4501 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3464 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| 2004-09-18 | DR-1554 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 2000-01-28 | DR-1311 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1995-10-10 | DR-1071 | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 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 Forsyth County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 33 flood or flash flood records for Forsyth County from 1997 to 2020, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Forsyth County ranks 1514th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma | 2017-09-11 | 1 | 1 |
| Hurricane Ivan | 2004-09-16 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $928,000 on 66 claims filed in Forsyth County; the most in one year was 14 in 2013. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1980: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 10 · 2011: 1 · 2013: 14 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 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 Forsyth County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Forsyth County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $89.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | Relatively High | $16M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.5M | 60 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $58M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | 5.5 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $599K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $5.4M | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.5M | 2.6 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $3.3M | once in about 413 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Forsyth 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 Forsyth CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Forsyth County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis