Hart County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13147 · population 25,791 · 232 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 300 records for Hart County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 264 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (116 records). The deadliest single record is the January 7, 1996 cold/wind chill, filed for the forecast zone Hart, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1977, 12 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
- 300on 264 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 16 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $6.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 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 Hart County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 116 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 | 116 | 108 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | 32 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 45 | 41 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $902K | 20 of 159 |
| Hail | 42 | 38 | 1982-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 159 |
| Drought | 41 | 41 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 159 |
| Floods | 16 | 14 | 1996-2020 | 0 | 0 | $174K | 41 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 11 | 1970-2023 | 0 | 3 | $2.5M | 45 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 10 | 10 | 1998-2017 | 0 | 0 | $52K | 30 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 9 | 9 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 0 | $712K | 64 of 159 |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 3 | – | 110 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2020-2024 | 0 | 0 | $941K | 151 of 159 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 1996-2001 | 0 | 0 | $25K | 96 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 1999-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 62 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 122 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 Hart County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Hart County from 1970 to 2023, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 3 injuries recorded in the county. That is 45th 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 12 tornadoes whose track touched Hart County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Hart County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-03 | Goldmine, Hart County | EF0 4.37 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-04-14 | Air Line, Hart County | EF0 2.88 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $58K |
| 2008-08-26 | Reed Creek, Hart County | EF1 3.13 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-03-15 | Vanna, Hart County | EF0 0.93 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-09-16 | Reed Creek, Hart County | F1 1.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2003-05-06 | Vanna, Hart County | F1 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $80K |
| 2001-01-19 | Vanna, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $83K |
| 1994-08-16 | Hartwell, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $995K |
| 1993-03-31 | Lake Hartwell, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $112K |
| 1993-03-23 | Hart County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.0M |
| 1970-04-02 | Hart County | F2 5.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $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 Hart County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 1, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($100,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
NWS storm survey reported wind damage along the western shores of Lake Hartwell throughout Hart County, with the most concentrated swath of damage extending from Hart State Park SSE to the Elbert County border near Montevideo, where numerous trees were blown down. The highest estimated wind gusts of 75 mph occurred along Old Highway 29 and Elrod Ferry Rd where dozens of trees were downed, with several falling on homes. At least one outbuilding received roof damage near the Elbert County line.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1349759)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindReed Creek, Hart County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Heavy SnowHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Ice StormHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-11 | HailHartwell, Hart County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-11 | Thunderstorm WindShoal Creek, Hart County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindBowersville, Hart County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2025-05-02 | HailReed Creek, Hart County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-10 | HailReed Creek, Hart County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter WeatherHart County · forecast zone Hart | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-07 | Cold/Wind ChillHart County · forecast zone Hart A man died of hypothermia after the car in which he was a passenger went into the water near Hartwell Dam. He escaped the car and walked, apparently to seek help, toward the Ranger station. He was found later. It is not clear how the car ended up in the water. His companion, the driver, drowned. The water twmperature ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-08-01 | HeatHart County · forecast zone Hart More than a week of high temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees combined with high humidity, caused heat stress related injuries and a death. | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 1970-04-02 | TornadoHart County | F2 5.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 1994-08-16 | TornadoHartwell, Hart County A tornado touched down near the intersection of Moore and Hickory Crossing Roads, in the Cedar Creek Church community, halfway between Georgia Highways 77 and 172, in southcentral Hart County. The tornado destroyed two mobile homes, rolled a third over and lifted a fourth off its foundation in the Cedar Creek Church ... | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $995K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-03-23 | TornadoHart County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.0M |
| 1994-08-16 | TornadoHartwell, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $995K |
| 2024-09-27 | Tropical StormHart County · forecast zone Hart | 0 | 0 | $941K | |
| 2001-01-19 | Thunderstorm WindVanna, Hart County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $250K |
| 2021-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindNuberg, Hart County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $218K |
| 1993-03-31 | TornadoLake Hartwell, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $112K |
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindReed Creek, Hart County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2001-01-19 | TornadoVanna, Hart County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $83K |
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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 2, 1970 (tornado, Hart 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 Hart 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 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 20 | 39 | 28 | 15 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 19 | 13 | 6 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 22 | 6 | 3 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 5 | 28 | 6 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 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 24 · Mar 26 · Apr 21 · May 30 · Jun 45 · Jul 32 · Aug 36 · Sep 15 · Oct 7 · Nov 12 · Dec 22 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Hart County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Hart County: 6 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (5) 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Hart County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 16 flood or flash flood records for Hart County from 1996 to 2020, on 14 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Hart County ranks 2830th 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 $0 on 1 claim filed in Hart County; the most in one year was 1 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2009: 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 Hart County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hart County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $9.3 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 | $313K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $651K | once in about 18 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $595K | once in about 408 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $296K | 43 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $285K | 4.4 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $381K | 2 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $742K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Hart 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 Hart CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Hart County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis