Pulaski County, Georgia

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13235 · population 9,043 · 249 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 231 records for Pulaski County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 206 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (84 records). The deadliest single record is the August 6, 2003 heavy rain: 1 death. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1977, 14 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
231on 206 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
22 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$33Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
15strongest F1
FEMA declarations
16latest 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 Pulaski County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 84 since 1963. 40% 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.

Pulaski County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 84 78 1963-2024 1 1 $2.0M 70 of 159
Drought 27 27 1997-2026 0 0 $12M 71 of 159
Hail 27 27 1963-2023 0 0 $535K 71 of 159
Hurricanes and tropical storms 16 15 2001-2018 0 0 $120K 36 of 159
Tornadoes 15 14 1959-2021 0 1 $4.4M 27 of 159
Extreme cold 14 14 1996-2007 0 0 – 30 of 159
Floods 14 13 1997-2021 0 0 $629K 47 of 159
Heat 11 11 1999-2012 0 0 – 31 of 159
Winter storms 7 7 2002-2026 0 0 $227K 86 of 159
Heavy rain 6 6 2001-2014 1 0 $16K 13 of 159
High wind and dust storms 4 4 1998-2004 0 0 $13M 74 of 159
Lightning 4 4 2000-2012 0 0 $160K 63 of 159
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 2 2 2002-2002 0 0 – 68 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 Pulaski County had?

NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Pulaski County from 1959 to 2021, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 27th 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 15 tornadoes whose track touched Pulaski County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.

Every tornado record filed for Pulaski County (15)
Every tornado recorded in Pulaski County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-12-30 Browndale, Pulaski County EF0 10.1 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2015-01-04 Hawkinsville Airport, Pulaski County EF0 2.18 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $12K
2015-01-04 Finleyson, Pulaski County EF0 0.16 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $19K
2014-11-23 Browndale, Pulaski County EF0 2.7 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $6K
2005-12-28 Finleyson, Pulaski County F0 0.5 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $151K
1989-05-01 Pulaski County F1 1 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $250K step
1983-11-20 Pulaski County F1 6 mi x 67 yd 0 0 $25K step
1980-03-21 Pulaski County F1 11.8 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $250K step
1972-06-27 Pulaski County F0 0.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $3K step
1972-04-22 Pulaski County F1 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1967-04-23 Pulaski County F0 0 0 $3K step
1964-04-27 Pulaski County F1 0.5 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $250K step
1961-04-09 Pulaski County F1 0.7 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $3K step
1961-03-31 Pulaski County F0 0.3 mi x 17 yd 0 0 $3K step
1959-04-01 Pulaski County F1 0.5 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $3K 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 Pulaski County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the October 6, 2021 thunderstorm wind (1 injury and $1,089 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The Pulaski County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down near the intersection of Highway 230 and Rocky Spring Road. A vehicle ran into the downed tree resulting in one injury.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 984034)
The 12 most recent records kept for Pulaski County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-03-01 DroughtPulaski County · forecast zone Pulaski 0 0 –
2026-02-01 DroughtPulaski County · forecast zone Pulaski 0 0 –
2026-01-18 Winter StormPulaski County · forecast zone Pulaski 0 0 –
2026-01-13 DroughtPulaski County · forecast zone Pulaski 0 0 –
2021-12-30 TornadoBrowndale, Pulaski County EF0 10.1 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2021-10-06 Thunderstorm WindFinleyson, Pulaski County 45 kt wind 0 1 $1K
2015-01-04 TornadoHawkinsville Airport, Pulaski County EF0 2.18 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $12K
2015-01-04 TornadoFinleyson, Pulaski County EF0 0.16 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $19K
2014-11-23 TornadoBrowndale, Pulaski County EF0 2.7 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $6K
2011-04-05 Thunderstorm WindBrowndale, Pulaski County 50 kt wind 0 0 $328K
2009-05-10 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County 56 kt wind 0 0 $481K
2008-06-11 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County 56 kt wind 0 0 $288K

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

Records with deaths or injuries in Pulaski County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2003-08-06 Heavy RainHawkinsville, Pulaski County The Pulaski county Emergency Management Director reported that a 14-year old male fell into a rain-swollen drainage ditch. He was subsequently swept away and carried nearly two blocks away from where he fell in. He was killed instantly. Approximately 2.5 inches of rain had fallen in the area in just a 45 to 60 minute ... 1 0 –
1995-07-12 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County Thunderstorm winds knocked a tree down on a home, killing one person inside. Trees and power lines were knocked down throughout the county. (F??PH) 1 0 $48K
2021-10-06 Thunderstorm WindFinleyson, Pulaski County The Pulaski County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down near the intersection of Highway 230 and Rocky Spring Road. A vehicle ran into the downed tree resulting in one injury. 45 kt wind 0 1 $1K
1989-05-01 TornadoPulaski County F1 1 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $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.

The costliest records in Pulaski County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2004-09-06 High WindPulaski County and Wilcox County · forecast zone Pulaski 35 kt wind 0 0 $13M
2000-06-01 DroughtPulaski County and Wilcox County · forecast zone Pulaski 0 0 $12M
2009-05-10 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County 56 kt wind 0 0 $481K
1999-06-04 HailCountywide, Pulaski County 0.75 in hail 0 0 $443K
2011-04-05 Thunderstorm WindBrowndale, Pulaski County 50 kt wind 0 0 $328K
2008-06-11 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County 56 kt wind 0 0 $288K
2005-12-28 TornadoFinleyson, Pulaski County F0 0.5 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $151K
1995-07-12 Thunderstorm WindHawkinsville, Pulaski County 1 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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 1, 1989 (tornado, Pulaski County); April 27, 1964 (tornado, Pulaski County); March 21, 1980 (tornado, Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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).

Pulaski County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind0311131918146
Drought––––31743
Hail010211751
Hurricanes and tropical storms––––01240
Tornadoes14230131
Extreme cold––––21200

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

40% 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 18 · Feb 11 · Mar 25 · Apr 27 · May 24 · Jun 38 · Jul 19 · Aug 18 · Sep 17 · Oct 14 · Nov 7 · Dec 13 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Pulaski County

FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Pulaski County: 9 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and severe storm (3).

Declarations including Pulaski County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-01-24EM-3642Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2024-09-30DR-4830HurricaneHurricane Helene
2024-09-26EM-3616Tropical StormHurricane Helene
2020-03-29DR-4501BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3464BiologicalCovid-19
2018-10-14DR-4400HurricaneHurricane Michael
2018-10-10EM-3406HurricaneHurricane Michael
2017-09-15DR-4338HurricaneHurricane Irma
2017-09-08EM-3387HurricaneHurricane Irma
2009-04-23DR-1833Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds
2005-09-05EM-3218HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2004-09-24DR-1560HurricaneTropical Storm Frances
1998-03-11DR-1209Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1994-07-07DR-1033TornadoTornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(Trop Storm Alberto)
1990-02-23DR-857Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornaodes & Flooding
1977-07-20EM-3044DroughtDrought

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 Pulaski County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 14 flood or flash flood records for Pulaski County from 1997 to 2021, on 13 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Pulaski County ranks 2212th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $254,000 on 15 claims filed in Pulaski County; the most in one year was 4 in 1994. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1994: 4 · 1998: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2020: 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 Pulaski County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pulaski County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.6 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Pulaski County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
DroughtRelatively Moderate$721K47 modeled event-days a year
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$585K1.5 a year (modeled)
HurricaneRelatively Low$584Konce in about 8 years (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Low$318K7.6 modeled event-days a year
TornadoRelatively Low$298Konce in about 7 years (modeled)
LightningRelatively Low$59K66 a year (modeled)
WildfireVery Low$45Konce in about 1,874 years (modeled)
EarthquakeVery Low$135Konce in about 620 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Pulaski County

  1. Houston County 556
  2. Dodge County 376
  3. Wilcox County 273
  4. Dooly County 266
  5. Pulaski County 231
  6. Bleckley County 216

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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