Meriwether County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13199 · population 20,583 · 501 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 339 records for Meriwether County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 276 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (143 records). The deadliest single record is the January 28, 2014 winter storm, filed for the forecast zone Meriwether, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1977, 15 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
- 339on 276 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 140 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $56Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 25strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 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 Meriwether County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 143 since 1964. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1964 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 | 143 | 121 | 1964-2026 | 0 | 4 | $1.2M | 117 of 159 |
| Hail | 48 | 43 | 1964-2023 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 97 of 159 |
| Drought | 36 | 36 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4.7M | 118 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 25 | 21 | 1954-2024 | 0 | 31 | $38M | 61 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 18 | 18 | 2002-2024 | 0 | 0 | $40K | 96 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 97 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 14 | 14 | 1996-2018 | 1 | 0 | $304K | 87 of 159 |
| Floods | 11 | 9 | 2003-2023 | 0 | 5 | $8.8M | 132 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 94 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 8 | 8 | 2002-2013 | 0 | 0 | $446K | 75 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 4 | 4 | 2001-2009 | 0 | 0 | $3K | 79 of 159 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 2006-2014 | 0 | 0 | $182K | 101 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 2002-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 89 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 Meriwether County had?
NOAA records 25 tornadoes in Meriwether County from 1954 to 2024, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 31 injuries recorded in the county. That is 61st 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 30 tornadoes whose track touched Meriwether County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 25: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 0 of them in Meriwether County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-27 21:59, as SPC files it | Hampton | EF3 | 21.68 mi | 2 |
| 2023-03-26 04:49, as SPC files it | West Point | EF3 | 21.54 mi | 0 |
| 1964-12-24 21:00, as SPC files it | Tyrone to Stockbridge | F3 | 75.4 mi | 0 |
| 1954-12-05 12:00, as SPC files it | ManchesterCrossed AL, GA | F3 | 51 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Meriwether County (25)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-29 | Haralson, Meriwether County | EF0 0.29 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $47K |
| 2024-12-29 | Durand, Meriwether County | EF1 24.62 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $5.6M |
| 2023-03-27 | Hunters Crossroad, Meriwether County | EF1 8.7 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-26 | Cameo, Meriwether County | EF3 21.7 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 5 | – |
| 2023-01-12 | Odessadale, Meriwether County | EF2 23.3 mi x 1,500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-01-12 | Odessadale, Meriwether County | EF2 17.91 mi x 1,060 yd | 0 | 4 | – |
| 2021-08-17 | Midway, Meriwether County | EF0 3.36 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $27K |
| 2017-12-20 | Imlac, Meriwether County | EF0 3.17 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 2015-05-26 | Warm Spgs, Meriwether County | EF1 9.75 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2014-10-14 | Nebula, Meriwether County | EF1 1.49 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2013-03-18 | Rocky Mt, Meriwether County | EF2 9.33 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $158K |
| 2011-04-27 | Alvaton, Meriwether County | EF2 5.53 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $328K |
| 2011-04-27 | County Line, Meriwether County | EF2 12.61 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $7.9M |
| 2009-02-18 | Luthersville, Meriwether County | EF0 0.01 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2008-05-11 | St Marks, Meriwether County | EF2 2.1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
| 2005-07-06 | Rocky Mt, Meriwether County | F0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $38K |
| 1993-02-22 | St. Marks To, Meriwether County | F1 12 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 1 | $10M |
| 1984-04-22 | Meriwether County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-04-22 | Meriwether County | F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1982-04-26 | Meriwether County | F1 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1980-05-25 | Meriwether County | F0 0.2 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1980-04-13 | Meriwether County | F1 25.8 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 4 | $2.5M step |
| 1979-04-13 | Meriwether County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-11-20 | Meriwether County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 15 | $250K step |
| 1954-12-05 | Meriwether County | F3 6.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K 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 Meriwether County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 12, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindSnelsons Crossroads, Meriwether County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-01 | DroughtMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-07 | DroughtMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindWooster, Meriwether County | 39 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindBullochville, Meriwether County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindLoftin, Meriwether County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindLoftin, Meriwether County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2024-12-29 | TornadoHaralson, Meriwether County | EF0 0.29 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $47K |
| 2024-12-29 | TornadoDurand, Meriwether County | EF1 24.62 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $5.6M |
| 2023-06-11 | HailLuthersville, Meriwether County | 2.00 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-28 | Winter StormMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether A significant winter storm impacted north and central Georgia on the 28th. Snow and sleet began late Tuesday morning, accumulating to widespread amounts of 1 to 3 inches of snow, up to a half inch of sleet, and up to a quarter of an inch of ice. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1974-11-20 | TornadoMeriwether County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 15 | $250K step |
| 2023-03-26 | TornadoCameo, Meriwether County The long track tornado first touched down just inside the Alabama-Georgia state line just west of the Chattahoochee River along State Line road where several trees were snapped and noted as EF0 damage. In the course of the next 1.25 miles, the tornado would rapidly intensify to EF3 as it moved into North West Point. ... | EF3 21.7 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 5 | – |
| 2003-05-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Meriwether County The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with the local Meriwether county Emergency Management Director, reported that excessive rain resulted in extensive and historical flooding across the county. It was estimated that 30 roads in the county had either washed out, had bridges washed out, or had collapsed and ... | 0 | 5 | $8.0M | |
| 2023-01-12 | TornadoOdessadale, Meriwether County Re-cycling from a parent supercell tracking from Chambers County (Alabama) into Troup County (Georgia), this tornado touched down just south of Callaway Airport, snapping several trees along Pegasus Pkwy. Damage quickly picked up just to the northeast approaching Whitesville Road (just north of I-85) where several ... | EF2 17.91 mi x 1,060 yd | 0 | 4 | – |
| 1980-04-13 | TornadoMeriwether County | F1 25.8 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 4 | $2.5M step |
| 2003-05-07 | Thunderstorm WindGreenville, Meriwether County The Meriwether Vindicator of Greenville reported that two men were injured when a tree limb fell on their car during strong thunderstorms with very heavy rain. Both men were treated and released | 40 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $8K |
| 1954-12-05 | TornadoMeriwether County | F3 6.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-05-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Meriwether County | 0 | 5 | $8.0M | |
| 2011-04-27 | TornadoCounty Line, Meriwether County | EF2 12.61 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $7.9M |
| 2024-12-29 | TornadoDurand, Meriwether County | EF1 24.62 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $5.6M |
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtMeriwether County · forecast zone Meriwether | 0 | 0 | $4.7M | |
| 1993-05-13 | HailWarm Springs, Meriwether County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.0M |
| 2013-03-18 | HailLuthersville, Meriwether County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $470K |
| 2011-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindLone Oak, Meriwether County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $394K |
| 2011-04-27 | TornadoAlvaton, Meriwether County | EF2 5.53 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $328K |
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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 13, 1980 (tornado, Meriwether 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 Meriwether 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 | 8 | 31 | 35 | 31 | 35 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 6 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 11 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 13 | 3 | 2 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 12 | 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 1964 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 29 · Feb 15 · Mar 35 · Apr 30 · May 38 · Jun 48 · Jul 49 · Aug 26 · Sep 25 · Oct 18 · Nov 8 · Dec 18 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Meriwether County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Meriwether County: 10 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (4) and hurricane (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3642 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3616 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2023-01-16 | DR-4685 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| 2016-02-26 | DR-4259 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2014-03-06 | DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2011-04-29 | DR-1973 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1995-10-10 | DR-1071 | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal |
| 1994-07-07 | DR-1033 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(Trop Storm Alberto) |
| 1993-03-04 | DR-980 | Tornado | Tornadoes, High Winds & Heavy Rains |
| 1990-02-23 | DR-857 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornaodes & 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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Meriwether County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Meriwether County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.8 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 | $255K | 53 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $154K | 4.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $718K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $176K | 3.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $116K | 63 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $31K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $243K | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $2.8M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Meriwether 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 Meriwether CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Meriwether County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis