Richmond County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13245 · population 206,329 · 324 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 442 records for Richmond County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 295 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (252 records). The deadliest single record is the September 27, 2024 tropical storm, filed for the forecast zone Richmond, which covers the county: 7 deaths and $471 million in damage in 2025 dollars. 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
- 442on 295 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1475 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $498Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest EF3
- 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 Richmond County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 252 since 1955. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 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 | 252 | 194 | 1955-2026 | 5 | 36 | $4.9M | 16 of 159 |
| Hail | 99 | 69 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 0 | $39K | 31 of 159 |
| Floods | 34 | 24 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 27 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 18 | 12 | 2008-2024 | 0 | 0 | $100K | 39 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 13 | 13 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 1 | – | 72 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 10 | 1954-2011 | 0 | 26 | $20M | 97 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 9 | 6 | 2014-2023 | 1 | 0 | $12K | 23 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 3 | 3 | 2018-2024 | 7 | 0 | $471M | 150 of 159 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 2012-2022 | 1 | 12 | $206K | 90 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 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 Richmond County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Richmond County from 1954 to 2011, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 26 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Richmond County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-04-10 20:30, as SPC files it | Grovetown | EF3 | 17.68 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Richmond County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-11-16 | Hephzibah, Richmond County | EF0 1.14 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 2009-04-10 | Ft Gordon, Richmond County | EF3 11.73 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 12 | $6.9M |
| 2001-06-12 | Hephzibah, Richmond County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-12-17 | Augusta, Richmond County | F2 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 8 | – |
| 1993-05-19 | Augusta, Richmond County | F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $102K |
| 1990-01-29 | Richmond County | F2 0.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 6 | $250K step |
| 1983-04-23 | Richmond County | F0 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1978-05-08 | Richmond County | F1 3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1961-02-24 | Richmond County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1954-08-17 | Richmond County | F1 1 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 Richmond County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the September 27, 2024 tropical storm (7 deaths and $471 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
Significant widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county resulting in widespread, extended power outages. Falling trees and wind caused substantial structural damage across the county. At least 1386 homes sustained some level of damage including 63 destroyed and 426 with major damage. Max winds at Augusta Bush Field were 45 knots sustained (52 mph) with a max gust of 71 knots (82 mph) before the site stopped reporting entirely. NWS storm survey estimated that maximum wind gusts were between 80 to 100+ mph. Six direct fatalities occurred due to trees falling on homes with another fatality due to a vehicle striking a downed tree in the roadway. Minimum mean sea level pressure recorded at Augusta Bush Field was 976.3mb. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1207972)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindHephzibah, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-29 | HailHephzibah, Richmond County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindNeco, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-25 | Flash FloodNeco, Richmond County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-25 | Flash FloodGracewood, Richmond County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindFt Gordon, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-31 | Heavy SnowRichmond County · forecast zone Richmond | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Winter WeatherRichmond County · forecast zone Richmond | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindBel Air, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindAugusta, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindPeach Orchard, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindNational Hills, Richmond County | 52 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Tropical StormRichmond County · forecast zone Richmond Significant widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county resulting in widespread, extended power outages. Falling trees and wind caused substantial structural damage across the county. At least 1386 homes sustained some level of damage including 63 destroyed and 426 with major damage. Max winds at ... | 7 | 0 | $471M | |
| 2007-07-11 | Thunderstorm WindAugusta, Richmond County Sheriff reported trees and powerlines down. One man died when storms swept across the area. 40-year-old Robert Walker was riding his bike when a tree fell, killing him. Nearby, there were four others trapped in a store on the corner of 11th and Dugas Street. Inmate crews were out for hours today cleaning up the mess. ... | 60 kt wind | 5 | 4 | – |
| 2022-07-20 | LightningFt Gordon, Richmond County According to media reports, a lightning strike at Fort Gordon, GA, killed one person and injured 9 others during a training exercise in the NW corner of the base. | 1 | 9 | – | |
| 2019-04-19 | Heavy RainPeach Orchard, Richmond County Broadcast media reported a fatality of a 64-year-old male driver of a vehicle that hydroplaned on a wet roadway at Deans Bridge Rd at Spring Grove Dr. Time of accident estimated. Broadcast media reported that the man was pronounced dead at 1259 EDT (1159 EST). | 1 | 0 | $12K | |
| 2011-06-15 | Thunderstorm WindAugusta, Richmond County Sheriff reported trees and powerlines down around the Augusta area. About 24 soldiers at Ft. Gordon were injured from debris crashing into their tents and were taken to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center for treatment. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 24 | $16K |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoFt Gordon, Richmond County A supercell tornado continued out of Columbia county and tracked across the Augusta area severely damaging many homes and business and taking down numerous trees and powerlines. One hundred and fifty people had to be evacuated from a nursing home that was damaged and there were around a dozen minor injuries. | EF3 11.73 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 12 | $6.9M |
| 2000-12-17 | TornadoAugusta, Richmond County An F2 tornado intermittently touched down along a 2 mile path. Extensive damage was done to the Timberidge subdivision and to other homes and mobile homes along its path. Eight people were injurred, one seriously. There were no deaths. | F2 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 8 | – |
| 1990-01-29 | TornadoRichmond County | F2 0.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 6 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Tropical StormRichmond County · forecast zone Richmond | 7 | 0 | $471M | |
| 2009-04-10 | TornadoFt Gordon, Richmond County | EF3 11.73 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 12 | $6.9M |
| 1996-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindGoeshen, Richmond County | 0 | 0 | $3.8M | |
| 1996-03-07 | Flash FloodNorthern Half, Richmond County | 0 | 0 | $753K | |
| 2012-07-17 | LightningAugusta, Richmond County | 0 | 3 | $206K | |
| 2012-02-24 | Thunderstorm WindAugusta, Richmond County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $154K |
| 2011-04-05 | Thunderstorm WindHephzibah, Richmond County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 1993-05-19 | TornadoAugusta, Richmond County | F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $102K |
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: May 8, 1978 (tornado, Richmond 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 Richmond 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 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 23 | 34 | 49 | 84 | 36 |
| Hail | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 16 | 25 | 22 | 16 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 4 | 19 | 7 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 4 | 12 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 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 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 25 · Feb 22 · Mar 36 · Apr 56 · May 57 · Jun 92 · Jul 74 · Aug 36 · Sep 20 · Oct 10 · Nov 5 · Dec 9 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Richmond County
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Richmond County: 6 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (5) and tropical storm (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 |
| 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 |
| 2018-10-10 | EM-3406 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2014-03-06 | DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1990-10-19 | DR-880 | Flood | Severe Storms & 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.
How many floods has Richmond County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 34 flood or flash flood records for Richmond County from 1996 to 2026, on 24 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Richmond County ranks 462nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 7 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $5.2 million on 574 claims filed in Richmond County; the most in one year was 72 in 1990. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 2 · 1980: 1 · 1981: 1 · 1984: 12 · 1985: 3 · 1986: 6 · 1987: 3 · 1988: 3 · 1989: 2 · 1990: 72 · 1991: 9 · 1992: 29 · 1993: 6 · 1994: 13 · 1995: 33 · 1996: 26 · 1998: 63 · 1999: 12 · 2000: 55 · 2001: 7 · 2002: 5 · 2003: 16 · 2004: 3 · 2005: 1 · 2007: 5 · 2008: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 3 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 14 · 2013: 15 · 2014: 7 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 27 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 64 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 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 Richmond County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richmond County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $56.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $4.0M | 4.2 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively High | $10M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.4M | 62 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $1.1M | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.8M | 4.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $5.6M | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $24M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $793K | 2.9 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 Richmond 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 Richmond CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Richmond County's FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis