Franklin County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13119 · population 23,415 · 261 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 307 records for Franklin County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 263 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (122 records). The deadliest single record is the September 16, 2004 tornado: 1 death, 1 injury and $117,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1976, 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
- 307on 263 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 14 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $8.3Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 13strongest 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 Franklin County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 122 since 1968. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1968 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 | 122 | 106 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 2 | $219K | 46 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 51 | 47 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $902K | 19 of 159 |
| Drought | 41 | 41 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 31 of 159 |
| Hail | 41 | 35 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 61 of 159 |
| Floods | 13 | 12 | 1996-2020 | 0 | 0 | $87K | 58 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 13 | 11 | 1952-2023 | 1 | 1 | $6.2M | 59 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 9 | 9 | 1998-2017 | 0 | 0 | $52K | 44 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $712K | 89 of 159 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 134 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2020-2024 | 0 | 0 | $141K | 154 of 159 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 1999-2005 | 0 | 1 | – | 104 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 1999-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 73 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2015-2015 | 0 | 0 | $31K | 126 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 Franklin County had?
NOAA records 13 tornadoes in Franklin County from 1952 to 2023, the strongest rated EF2, with 1 death and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 59th 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Franklin County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 13, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-09-16 15:45, as SPC files it | Carnesville | F2 | 5.5 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Franklin County (13)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-03 | Canon Franklin Co Ar, Franklin County | EF0 5.55 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-04-10 | Red Hill, Franklin County | EF2 9.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-03-15 | Franklin Spgs, Franklin County | EF0 2.31 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-09-16 | Franklin Spgs, Franklin County | F2 5.5 mi x 50 yd | 1 | 1 | $117K |
| 2004-09-16 | Carnesville, Franklin County | F1 3.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2004-09-16 | Franklin Spgs, Franklin County | F2 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
| 2003-11-19 | Carnesville, Franklin County | F0 4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2003-05-06 | Sandy Cross, Franklin County | F1 6 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $160K |
| 1973-05-28 | Franklin County | F1 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1970-04-09 | Franklin County | F2 2.3 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1961-07-16 | Franklin County | F1 0.9 mi x 43 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1954-07-04 | Franklin County | F1 0.1 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1952-02-29 | Franklin County | F2 7.8 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 0 | $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 Franklin County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 7, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindLavonia, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Heavy SnowFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Ice StormFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-25 | HailRoyston, Franklin County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindCarnesville, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindRoyston, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindCanon, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindLavonia, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter WeatherFranklin County · forecast zone Franklin | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-09-16 | TornadoFranklin Spgs, Franklin County This tornado touched down west of Franklin Springs, then moved north-northwest, damaging several homes, businesses, and vehicles as it tracked toward Carnesville. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. A 38-year-old woman was killed when the vehicle she was driving was hit by a falling tree. A passenger ... | F2 5.5 mi x 50 yd | 1 | 1 | $117K |
| 1985-04-05 | Thunderstorm WindFranklin County | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 1999-05-06 | LightningCanon, Franklin County A man was struck and injured by lightning while he was cleaning a satellite dish. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-09-16 | TornadoFranklin Spgs, Franklin County | F2 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
| 2003-05-06 | TornadoSandy Cross, Franklin County | F1 6 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $160K |
| 2004-09-16 | TornadoCarnesville, Franklin County | F1 3.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2003-11-19 | TornadoCarnesville, Franklin County | F0 4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindRoyston, Franklin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
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: April 9, 1970 (tornado, Franklin County); May 28, 1973 (tornado, Franklin 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 Franklin 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 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 36 | 37 | 14 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 20 | 15 | 7 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 5 | 28 | 6 | 2 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 12 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
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 1968 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 30 · Feb 26 · Mar 21 · Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 49 · Jul 32 · Aug 40 · Sep 17 · Oct 7 · Nov 15 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Franklin County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Franklin County: 8 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 |
| 2024-09-30 | DR-4830 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1976-06-11 | DR-507 | Flood | Severe Storms & 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 Franklin County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 13 flood or flash flood records for Franklin County from 1996 to 2020, on 12 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Franklin County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $12,000 on 1 claim filed in Franklin County; the most in one year was 1 in 2015. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2015: 1; 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 Franklin County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Franklin County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $238K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $404K | once in about 33 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $417K | once in about 431 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $284K | 4.6 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $980K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $186K | 56 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.1M | 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 Franklin 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 Franklin CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Franklin County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis