Johnson County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13167 · population 9,185 · 303 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 258 records for Johnson County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 202 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (104 records). The most damaging was the May 11, 2008 tornado ($20.6 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1977, 17 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
- 258on 202 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 016 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $38Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 19latest 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 Johnson County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 104 since 1968. 45% 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 | 104 | 82 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | 98 of 159 |
| Hail | 36 | 30 | 1995-2022 | 0 | 0 | $340K | 83 of 159 |
| Drought | 29 | 29 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.3M | 84 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 15 | 15 | 2002-2024 | 0 | 4 | $241K | 57 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 44 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 47 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 9 | 1974-2022 | 0 | 10 | $32M | 104 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 11 | 10 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 0 | $123K | 80 of 159 |
| Lightning | 10 | 9 | 2002-2015 | 0 | 0 | $863K | 35 of 159 |
| Floods | 8 | 8 | 1998-2016 | 0 | 0 | $262K | 105 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2001-2003 | 0 | 2 | $8K | 68 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 3 | 3 | 2001-2008 | 0 | 0 | $240K | 98 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 2002-2003 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 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 Johnson County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Johnson County from 1974 to 2022, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 10 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 11 tornadoes whose track touched Johnson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Johnson County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-06 | Kite, Johnson County | EF1 5.46 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-01-21 | Wrightsville, Johnson County | EF0 6.39 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2014-02-21 | Spann, Johnson County | EF1 3.41 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2008-05-11 | Kite, Johnson County | EF2 4.78 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 4 | $9.6M |
| 2008-05-11 | Spann, Johnson County | EF1 8.22 mi x 581 yd | 0 | 6 | $21M |
| 2007-04-15 | Scott, Johnson County | EF1 5.75 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $356K |
| 2007-04-15 | Scott, Johnson County | EF1 2.36 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $356K |
| 2006-01-02 | Kite, Johnson County | F1 5 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $366K |
| 2005-12-28 | Spann, Johnson County | F1 1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $76K |
| 1980-03-17 | Johnson County | F1 2 mi x 83 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-06-07 | Johnson County | F1 1 mi x 50 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 Johnson County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindDonovan, Johnson County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Winter StormJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-13 | DroughtJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-01 | DroughtJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindScott, Johnson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindScott, Johnson County | 39 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindWrightsville, Johnson County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindKite, Johnson County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-31 | Thunderstorm WindWrightsville, Johnson County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2024-09-27 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Johnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 4 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoSpann, Johnson County A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF1 tornado, that initially touched down in extreme northern Laurens just west-southwest of Tuckers Crossroads, continued on an eastward track into Johnson county, lifting a little less than one mile ... | EF1 8.22 mi x 581 yd | 0 | 6 | $21M |
| 2024-09-27 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Johnson County · forecast zone Johnson An NWS Storm Survey on October 3, 2024 determined that Johnson County sustained extensive damage from Helene’s winds. More than 300 homes and businesses around the county experienced some type of damage. Wind gusts were estimated in the 60-80 MPH range based on damage to trees and structural damage to buildings (not ... | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoKite, Johnson County A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet another tornado had touched down within Johnson county. This tornado was an EF2 and touched down in far eastern Johnson county, about one mile northwest of Kite and continued on an east-northeastward track into ... | EF2 4.78 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 4 | $9.6M |
| 2003-07-13 | Heavy RainWrightsville, Johnson County The Johnson Journal of Wrightsville reported that very heavy rain, up to four inches during the evening hours, caused the awning on a one-year old building to fall on two male patrons that were standing underneath. One of the men was seriously injured and remained in critical condition several hours later. The other ... | 0 | 2 | $8K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoSpann, Johnson County | EF1 8.22 mi x 581 yd | 0 | 6 | $21M |
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoKite, Johnson County | EF2 4.78 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 4 | $9.6M |
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | $2.3M | |
| 2009-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindWrightsville, Johnson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $413K |
| 2008-05-11 | Thunderstorm WindKite, Johnson County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $343K |
| 2008-06-10 | LightningWrightsville, Johnson County | 0 | 0 | $343K | |
| 2010-08-27 | Thunderstorm WindWrightsville, Johnson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $338K |
| 2011-11-16 | Thunderstorm WindWrightsville, Johnson County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $295K |
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: June 7, 1974 (tornado, Johnson County); March 17, 1980 (tornado, Johnson 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 Johnson 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 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 30 | 40 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 3 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 4 | 4 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
45% 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 21 · Feb 12 · Mar 20 · Apr 22 · May 18 · Jun 44 · Jul 33 · Aug 34 · Sep 18 · Oct 14 · Nov 10 · Dec 12 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Johnson County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Johnson County: 10 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and tropical storm (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 |
| 2024-08-05 | EM-3607 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| 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 |
| 2008-05-23 | DR-1761 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-24 | DR-1560 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1991-03-15 | DR-897 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1990-10-19 | DR-880 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 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 Johnson County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 8 flood or flash flood records for Johnson County from 1998 to 2016, on 8 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Johnson County ranks 2756th 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 $37,000 on 2 claims filed in Johnson 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 · 2024: 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 Johnson County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Johnson County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $2.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $567K | 43 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $316K | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $217K | 7.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $22K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $307K | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $65K | 64 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $115K | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $184K | once in about 490 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Johnson 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 Johnson CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Johnson County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis