McIntosh County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13191 · population 10,934 · 431 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 335 records for McIntosh County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 194 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (137 records). The most damaging was the May 11, 2008 tornado ($17.1 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1977, 20 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Helene” on September 30, 2024.
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
- 335on 194 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 015 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $21Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 7strongest EF4
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 2024
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 McIntosh County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 137 since 1960. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 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 | 137 | 90 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 6 | $539K | 131 of 159 |
| Hail | 57 | 39 | 1993-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 90 of 159 |
| Drought | 46 | 23 | 1996-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 130 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 38 | 18 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $3.5M | 78 of 159 |
| Floods | 15 | 12 | 2003-2018 | 0 | 0 | $64K | 98 of 159 |
| Heat | 10 | 5 | 1996-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 114 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 6 | 2004-2023 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 83 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 7 | 7 | 1959-2009 | 0 | 9 | $17M | 144 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 6 | 3 | 2014-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 148 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 3 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 125 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 2 | 2009-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 107 of 159 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 2 | 2 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 159 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2008-2018 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 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 McIntosh County had?
NOAA records 7 tornadoes in McIntosh County from 1959 to 2009, the strongest rated EF4, with 0 deaths and 9 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 7 tornadoes whose track touched McIntosh County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 7, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 07:52, as SPC files it | Unnamed | EF4 | 11 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for McIntosh County (7)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-04-13 | Pine Harbor, McIntosh County | EF1 8 mi x 770 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
| 2008-05-11 | Darien Eden Field, McIntosh County | EF4 11 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 9 | $17M |
| 2008-03-07 | Belleview Pt, McIntosh County | EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-09-05 | Darien, McIntosh County | F0 0.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-11-07 | Townsend, McIntosh County | F0 10 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1969-07-21 | McIntosh County | F1 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1959-05-28 | McIntosh County | F0 0.6 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 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 McIntosh County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindDarien, McIntosh County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-02-01 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindCarnigan, McIntosh County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter StormMcIntosh County · forecast zone Inland McIntosh | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter StormMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindPine Harbor, McIntosh County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 6 | – |
| 2017-09-11 | Storm Surge/TideMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical DepressionMcIntosh County · forecast zone Inland McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical StormMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2016-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindTownsend, McIntosh County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-04-14 | Thunderstorm WindDoboy, McIntosh County | 75 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-04-13 | TornadoPine Harbor, McIntosh County | EF1 8 mi x 770 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
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 | TornadoDarien Eden Field, McIntosh County A survey team from the National Weather Service Office in Charleston, South Carolina along with other damage survey experts from across the country determined that the Tornado that struck McIntosh county Georgia on Sunday morning May 11, was a violent EF-4. The Tornado beginning and end times are based on radar data ... | EF4 11 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 9 | $17M |
| 2019-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindPine Harbor, McIntosh County Military Police relayed a report that a tent was blown over during a training exercise resulting in 6 minor injuries. The event occurred near Evans Army Airfield. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 6 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoDarien Eden Field, McIntosh County | EF4 11 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 9 | $17M |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical StormMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2017-09-11 | Storm Surge/TideMcIntosh County · forecast zone Coastal McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2017-09-11 | Tropical DepressionMcIntosh County · forecast zone Inland McIntosh | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2009-04-13 | TornadoPine Harbor, McIntosh County | EF1 8 mi x 770 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
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 $250, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 28, 1959 (tornado, McIntosh 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 McIntosh 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 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 34 | 61 | 18 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 15 | 4 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 6 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 15 | 15 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 9 · Feb 13 · Mar 14 · Apr 49 · May 50 · Jun 75 · Jul 29 · Aug 36 · Sep 25 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Dec 4 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for McIntosh County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include McIntosh County: 10 major disasters, 11 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for hurricane (10) and tropical storm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-30 | DR-4830 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3616 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-24 | DR-4821 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
| 2019-09-01 | EM-3422 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| 2018-10-10 | EM-3406 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2016-10-08 | DR-4284 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2016-10-06 | EM-3379 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2009-04-23 | DR-1833 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| 2001-05-23 | FM-2362 | Fire | Ga - Blounts Pasture Fire |
| 1999-09-14 | EM-3144 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1977-06-02 | DR-536 | Freezing | Shrimp Loss Due to Cold Weather |
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 McIntosh County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 15 flood or flash flood records for McIntosh County from 2003 to 2018, on 12 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), McIntosh County ranks 1514th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma | 2017-09-11 | 3 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.0 million on 66 claims filed in McIntosh County; the most in one year was 38 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1993: 3 · 1995: 3 · 1997: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2009: 2 · 2012: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 8 · 2017: 38 · 2018: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2026: 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 McIntosh County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McIntosh County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $16.9 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 High | $13M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $722K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $589K | once in about 248 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $240K | 8.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $30K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $229K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $78K | 64 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $174K | once in about 549 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with McIntosh 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 McIntosh CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download McIntosh County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis