Montgomery County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13209 · population 8,579 · 241 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 187 records for Montgomery County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 164 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (67 records). The most damaging was the June 1, 2000 drought ($3.3 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1966, 19 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
- 187on 164 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 01 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $8.0Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 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 Montgomery County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 67 since 1963. 49% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1963 fell in May and June. 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 | 67 | 60 | 1963-2024 | 0 | 1 | $1.0M | 113 of 159 |
| Drought | 26 | 26 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.3M | 72 of 159 |
| Hail | 20 | 19 | 1985-2022 | 0 | 0 | $253K | 105 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 19 | 18 | 2002-2024 | 0 | 0 | $110K | 23 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 159 |
| Floods | 10 | 8 | 1997-2020 | 0 | 0 | $151K | 77 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 6 | 1963-2024 | 0 | 0 | $3.0M | 120 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2001-2008 | 0 | 0 | $240K | 72 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 4 | 4 | 2002-2018 | 0 | 0 | $38K | 113 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2001-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 66 of 159 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | $781 | 129 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 Montgomery County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in Montgomery County from 1963 to 2024, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 0 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 6 tornadoes whose track touched Montgomery County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 05:11, as SPC files it | Tarrytown | EF3 | 7.66 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Montgomery County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-09 | Kibbee, Montgomery County | EF1 6.46 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-11 | Kibbee, Montgomery County | EF3 2.34 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $34K |
| 1984-05-03 | Montgomery County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1972-01-05 | Montgomery County | F2 3.3 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1966-02-28 | Montgomery County | F2 0.9 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1963-01-20 | Montgomery County | F2 2 mi x 33 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 Montgomery County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 11, 2008 tornado ($34,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF3 tornado, that initially touched down approximately three miles south-southeast of Soperton, continued on an east-southeastward track approximately seven miles into extreme northeast Montgomery county. The tornado likely weakened to less than EF3 intensity as it entered Montgomery county. A number of outbuildings and sheds were destroyed along the path of the tornado in northeast Montgomery county. A number of trees and power lines were also downed. However, no damage to any homes was observed or reported in Montgomery county.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 101752)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-13 | DroughtMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-05-09 | TornadoKibbee, Montgomery County | EF1 6.46 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoKibbee, Montgomery County | EF3 2.34 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $34K |
| 2006-12-25 | Thunderstorm WindTarrytown, Montgomery County | 57 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $146K |
| 2000-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindMc Gregor, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $366K | |
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | $3.3M | |
| 1984-05-03 | TornadoMontgomery County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1972-01-05 | TornadoMontgomery County | F2 3.3 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1966-02-28 | TornadoMontgomery County | F2 0.9 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1963-01-20 | TornadoMontgomery County | F2 2 mi x 33 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; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-12-25 | Thunderstorm WindTarrytown, Montgomery County The Montgomery County Emergency Management Director reported that extensive wind damage occurred across the northern part of the county. The most significant damage was observed in the Kibbee area in the far northern part of the county. Here, a trailer was removed from its foundation, the foundation blocks of which ... | 57 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $146K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | $3.3M | |
| 2000-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindMc Gregor, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $366K | |
| 2006-12-25 | Thunderstorm WindTarrytown, Montgomery County | 57 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $146K |
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoKibbee, Montgomery County | EF3 2.34 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $34K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: January 5, 1972 (tornado, Montgomery County); May 3, 1984 (tornado, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 | 0 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 20 | 10 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 2 | 3 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| 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?
49% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1963 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 15 · Feb 10 · Mar 15 · Apr 13 · May 19 · Jun 34 · Jul 13 · Aug 24 · Sep 17 · Oct 13 · Nov 7 · Dec 7 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Montgomery County: 11 major disasters, 10 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (8) and severe storm (3).
| 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 |
| 2023-09-07 | DR-4738 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| 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 |
| 2016-02-26 | DR-4259 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2009-04-23 | DR-1833 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| 1994-07-07 | DR-1033 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(Trop Storm Alberto) |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1984-05-11 | EM-3089 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1966-03-14 | DR-214 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Montgomery County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 10 flood or flash flood records for Montgomery County from 1997 to 2020, on 8 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Montgomery County ranks 1874th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $461,000 on 32 claims filed in Montgomery County; the most in one year was 7 in 2020. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1980: 1 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 3 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2009: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2024: 3; 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 Montgomery County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montgomery County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $3.0 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 | $455K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $253K | 23 modeled event-days a year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $192K | 7.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $422K | once in about 8 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $75K | 68 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $106K | once in about 571 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $16K | once in about 1,422 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $9K | 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Montgomery County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis