Hancock County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13141 · population 8,698 · 471 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 181 records for Hancock County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 161 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (56 records). 93 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the February 18, 2009 tornado: 1 death, 3 injuries and $688,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 15 declarations naming the county since 1977, 13 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
- 181on 161 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 14 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $4.4Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 15latest 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 Hancock County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 56 since 1974. 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 | 56 | 50 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | $582K | 159 of 159 |
| Drought | 33 | 33 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | 121 of 159 |
| Hail | 19 | 19 | 1993-2014 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 150 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 18 | 18 | 2001-2024 | 0 | 0 | $60K | 87 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 92 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 12 | 12 | 2000-2026 | 0 | 0 | $287K | 91 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 93 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 7 | 1956-2017 | 1 | 4 | $1.8M | 149 of 159 |
| Floods | 4 | 4 | 2001-2020 | 0 | 0 | $569K | 154 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2001-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 123 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2002-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 112 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 1 | 1 | 2001-2001 | 0 | 0 | $8K | 138 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 Hancock County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in Hancock County from 1956 to 2017, the strongest rated EF3, with 1 death and 4 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 9 tornadoes whose track touched Hancock County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-02-18 21:48, as SPC files it | Sparta to Mitchell | EF3 | 10.4 mi | 1 |
| 2009-04-10 20:28, as SPC files it | Sparta | EF3 | 6.8 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Hancock County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-04-03 | Shoulderbone, Hancock County | EF0 3.26 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2017-01-21 | Friendship, Hancock County | EF1 0.18 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2011-04-28 | Sandy Run, Hancock County | EF0 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2009-04-10 | Sunshine, Hancock County | EF3 6.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $1.0M |
| 2009-04-10 | Granite Hill, Hancock County | EF0 0.33 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2009-04-10 | Sparta, Hancock County | EF0 1.07 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2009-02-18 | Culverton, Hancock County | EF3 7.51 mi x 500 yd | 1 | 3 | $688K |
| 2008-05-20 | Eureka, Hancock County | EF0 0.23 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $685 |
| 1956-08-12 | Hancock County | F1 3.6 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 Hancock County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 16, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($3,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtHancock County · forecast zone Hancock | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtHancock County · forecast zone Hancock | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Winter StormHancock County · forecast zone Hancock | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-20 | DroughtHancock County · forecast zone Hancock | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-16 | Thunderstorm WindCarrs Station, Hancock County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-02-16 | Thunderstorm WindSparta, Hancock County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-02-16 | Thunderstorm WindCarrs Station, Hancock County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2017-04-03 | TornadoShoulderbone, Hancock County | EF0 3.26 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2017-03-21 | Thunderstorm WindGum Hill, Hancock County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2017-01-21 | TornadoFriendship, Hancock County | EF1 0.18 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2011-04-28 | TornadoSandy Run, Hancock County | EF0 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoSunshine, Hancock County | EF3 6.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $1.0M |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-02-18 | TornadoCulverton, Hancock County A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF3 tornado touched down approximately five miles east-southeast of Sparta, or about three miles east of the intersection of Georgia Highway 15 and 16. The tornado then moved along a nearly eight-mile ... | EF3 7.51 mi x 500 yd | 1 | 3 | $688K |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoSunshine, Hancock County A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a third tornado touched down in Hancock county within a 15 minute period of time. However, this tornado was determined to be an EF3 tornado. This tornado touched down about halfway between Sparta and ... | EF3 6.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $1.0M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtHancock County · forecast zone Hancock | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoSunshine, Hancock County | EF3 6.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $1.0M |
| 2007-03-01 | FloodDevereux, Hancock County | 0 | 0 | $427K | |
| 2017-03-21 | Thunderstorm WindGum Hill, Hancock County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2017-04-03 | TornadoShoulderbone, Hancock County | EF0 3.26 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2011-04-28 | TornadoSandy Run, Hancock County | EF0 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoSparta, Hancock County | EF0 1.07 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoGranite Hill, Hancock County | EF0 0.33 mi x 33 yd | 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 $3K, in the dollars of the day) holds: August 12, 1956 (tornado, Hancock 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 Hancock 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 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 10 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 9 | 3 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 13 | 3 | 2 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
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 Hancock County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 18 · Feb 15 · Mar 19 · Apr 18 · May 15 · Jun 20 · Jul 18 · Aug 11 · Sep 17 · Oct 11 · Nov 9 · Dec 10 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Hancock County
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Hancock County: 7 major disasters, 8 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 |
| 2018-10-14 | 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 |
| 2014-03-06 | DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2007-03-03 | DR-1686 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-24 | DR-1560 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Hancock County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hancock County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $2.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $142K | once in about 18 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $163K | 59 modeled event-days a year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $152K | 6.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $28K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $86K | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $262K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $94K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $33K | once in about 1,086 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Hancock 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 Hancock CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Hancock County's FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis