Putnam County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13237 · population 22,025 · 345 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 293 records for Putnam County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 227 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (108 records). The deadliest single record is the November 22, 1992 tornado: 4 deaths and 55 injuries. FEMA has issued 15 declarations naming the county since 1977, 13 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
- 293on 227 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 461 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $64Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 7strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 15latest 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 Putnam County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 108 since 1959. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 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 | 108 | 82 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 3 | $951K | 121 of 159 |
| Hail | 47 | 39 | 1974-2023 | 0 | 0 | $824K | 69 of 159 |
| Drought | 33 | 33 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $5.3M | 83 of 159 |
| Floods | 21 | 15 | 1998-2023 | 0 | 0 | $459K | 65 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 17 | 17 | 2001-2020 | 0 | 0 | $90K | 59 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 56 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 14 | 14 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 2 | $273K | 71 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 58 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 7 | 2001-2014 | 0 | 0 | $459K | 64 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 7 | 6 | 1992-2020 | 4 | 56 | $55M | 142 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 6 | 6 | 2009-2014 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 10 of 159 |
| Lightning | 4 | 3 | 2008-2011 | 0 | 0 | $948K | 95 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2001-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 105 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2002-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 92 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 Putnam County had?
NOAA records 7 tornadoes in Putnam County from 1992 to 2020, the strongest rated F4, with 4 deaths and 56 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 Putnam County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 7, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 5 people, 4 of them in Putnam County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-11-22 14:45, as SPC files it | White Plains | F4 | 32 mi | 5 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Putnam County (7)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-13 | Willard, Putnam County | EF1 12.91 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $114K |
| 2017-01-21 | Dennis, Putnam County | EF0 0.57 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
| 2011-04-28 | Flat Rock, Putnam County | EF1 3.74 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2009-12-02 | Eatonton, Putnam County | EF0 0.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $165K |
| 2009-12-02 | Eatonton, Putnam County | EF0 1.71 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $138K |
| 2009-02-18 | Willard, Putnam County | EF1 8.74 mi x 1,320 yd | 0 | 1 | $275K |
| 1992-11-22 | Putnam County | F4 20 mi x 867 yd | 4 | 55 | $25M 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 Putnam 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 WindFlat Rock, Putnam County | 39 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindFlat Rock, Putnam County | 39 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-10 | DroughtPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Winter StormPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-31 | Thunderstorm WindEatonton, Putnam County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2020-04-13 | TornadoWillard, Putnam County | EF1 12.91 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $114K |
| 2018-01-17 | Winter WeatherPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2017-01-21 | TornadoDennis, Putnam County | EF0 0.57 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
| 2015-08-06 | Thunderstorm WindReids Crossroads, Putnam County | 75 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $249K |
| 2013-03-18 | HailHunts, Putnam County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $281K |
| 2011-04-28 | TornadoFlat Rock, Putnam County | EF1 3.74 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-11-22 | TornadoPutnam County | F4 20 mi x 867 yd | 4 | 55 | $25M step |
| 1997-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindEatonton, Putnam County Thunderstorm winds associated with a downburst knocked down several trees, overturned a couple of trailers, caused extensive damage to Lakeside Bait and Tackle, and caused a car to slide into Lake Sinclair. Several eyewitnesses reported hearing a roaring sound similar to a freight train. The winds first hit another ... | 0 | 3 | $74K | |
| 2018-01-17 | Winter WeatherPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam The Putnam Emergency Manager reported around an inch and a quarter of snow accumulation in the Linchburg area with between an inch and an inch and a half average across the county. Two serious accidents were reported due to the slick roads with two injuries also reported. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2009-02-18 | TornadoWillard, Putnam County An aerial and ground survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in cooperation with the Putnam County Emergency Management Director confirmed that an EF1 tornado carved an approximate 8-9 mile track across Putnam county very near Georgia Highway 16. The tornado first touched down near Williard, ... | EF1 8.74 mi x 1,320 yd | 0 | 1 | $275K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtPutnam County · forecast zone Putnam | 0 | 0 | $5.3M | |
| 2011-04-28 | TornadoFlat Rock, Putnam County | EF1 3.74 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2008-06-11 | LightningEatonton, Putnam County | 0 | 0 | $685K | |
| 2001-06-12 | Flash FloodCountywide, Putnam County | 0 | 0 | $333K | |
| 2013-03-18 | HailHunts, Putnam County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $281K |
| 2009-02-18 | TornadoWillard, Putnam County | EF1 8.74 mi x 1,320 yd | 0 | 1 | $275K |
| 2015-08-06 | Thunderstorm WindReids Crossroads, Putnam County | 75 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $249K |
| 2009-12-02 | TornadoEatonton, Putnam County | EF0 0.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $165K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: November 22, 1992 (tornado, Putnam County, 4 killed).
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 Putnam 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 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 26 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 20 | 6 | 4 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 18 | 10 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| 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?
44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 16 · Feb 22 · Mar 28 · Apr 27 · May 30 · Jun 47 · Jul 28 · Aug 29 · Sep 24 · Oct 18 · Nov 9 · Dec 15 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Putnam County
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Putnam County: 7 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and biological (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 |
| 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 |
| 2017-01-26 | DR-4297 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-24 | DR-1560 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 1992-12-01 | DR-969 | Tornado | High Winds, Heavy Rains & Tornadoes |
| 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 Putnam County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 21 flood or flash flood records for Putnam County from 1998 to 2023, on 15 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Putnam County ranks 2590th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $22,000 on 5 claims filed in Putnam County; the most in one year was 2 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2009: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2025: 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 Putnam County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Putnam County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $12.1 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 | $800K | 57 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $483K | once in about 17 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.3M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $87K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $235K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $349K | 6.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $843K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $291K | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Putnam 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 Putnam CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Putnam County's FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis