Seminole County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13253 · population 9,105 · 238 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 155 records for Seminole County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 126 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (87 records). The deadliest single record is the March 22, 2005 tornado: 1 death, 8 injuries and $2.3 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 12 declarations naming the county since 1977, 10 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Helene” on September 26, 2024.
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
- 155on 126 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 211 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $969Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 2024
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 Seminole County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 87 since 1971. 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 | 87 | 68 | 1971-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 88 of 159 |
| Drought | 23 | 23 | 2013-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 82 of 159 |
| Floods | 8 | 7 | 2002-2023 | 0 | 0 | $12M | 91 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 8 | 1969-2021 | 1 | 11 | $5.2M | 80 of 159 |
| Hail | 6 | 5 | 1981-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 156 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 6 | 6 | 2016-2024 | 1 | 0 | $940M | 123 of 159 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 97 of 159 |
| Lightning | 4 | 3 | 2008-2014 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 75 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 2017-2026 | 0 | 0 | $9.5M | 108 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 3 | 3 | 2014-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 130 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 74 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 Seminole County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Seminole County from 1969 to 2021, the strongest rated F2, with 1 death and 11 injuries recorded in the county. That is 80th 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 8 tornadoes whose track touched Seminole County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 1 of them in Seminole County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-03-22 12:32, as SPC files it | Donalsonville | F3 | 18 mi | 1 |
| 1975-01-12 10:20, as SPC files it | BainbridgeCrossed FL, GA | F2 | 168.5 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Seminole County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-15 | Desser, Seminole County | EF0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-01-02 | Riverturn, Seminole County | EF1 3.73 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $361K |
| 2005-03-22 | Donalsonville, Seminole County | F2 2.8 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 8 | $2.3M |
| 1996-03-06 | Donalsonville, Seminole County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $188K |
| 1975-01-12 | Seminole County | F2 37.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1972-03-16 | Seminole County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-02-07 | Seminole County | F2 14.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 1969-04-18 | Seminole County | F2 1.9 mi x 233 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 Seminole County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 12, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindLela, Seminole County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Thunderstorm WindReynoldsville, Seminole County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Thunderstorm WindLake Seminole, Seminole County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-25 | Thunderstorm WindDesser, Seminole County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-01-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-01 | DroughtSeminole County · forecast zone Seminole | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-09 | Thunderstorm WindLela, Seminole County | 50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-03-22 | TornadoDonalsonville, Seminole County A tornado touched down just south of U.S. Highway 84. It destroyed seven mobile homes and damaged 17 others. Many trees and power lines were down. A woman was killed when the tornado demolished her mobile home. Eight people suffered minor injuries. The storm survey was conducted by the NWS Tallahassee WCM and SOO. | F2 2.8 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 8 | $2.3M |
| 2018-10-10 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Seminole County · forecast zone Seminole Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification ... | 1 | 0 | $940M | |
| 1971-02-07 | TornadoSeminole County | F2 14.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 1996-03-06 | TornadoDonalsonville, Seminole County A tornado struck a peanut farm building doing serious damage. Parts of the roof were thrown a half mile. One person was injured and required hospitalization. Several vehicles were thrown. | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $188K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-09-15 | Flash FloodCountywide, Seminole County | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 2005-03-22 | TornadoDonalsonville, Seminole County | F2 2.8 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 8 | $2.3M |
| 2011-04-05 | LightningDonalsonville, Seminole County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2017-01-02 | TornadoRiverturn, Seminole County | EF1 3.73 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $361K |
| 2003-03-20 | Thunderstorm WindReynoldsville, Seminole County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $321K |
| 1996-03-06 | TornadoDonalsonville, Seminole County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $188K |
| 2014-04-30 | Thunderstorm WindDonalsonville, Seminole County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $62K |
| 2017-02-07 | Thunderstorm WindLittle Hope, Seminole County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $18K |
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: February 7, 1971 (tornado, Seminole 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 Seminole 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 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 33 | 27 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 12 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Seminole County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 18 · Feb 14 · Mar 19 · Apr 15 · May 14 · Jun 20 · Jul 11 · Aug 17 · Sep 8 · Oct 7 · Nov 7 · Dec 5 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Seminole County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include Seminole County: 6 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (5) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2009-04-23 | DR-1833 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-07-07 | DR-1033 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding Torrential Rain(Trop Storm Alberto) |
| 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 Seminole County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 8 flood or flash flood records for Seminole County from 2002 to 2023, on 7 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Seminole County ranks 1419th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Michael | 2018-10-10 | 1 | 1 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.7 million on 80 claims filed in Seminole County; the most in one year was 20 in 2002. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 2 · 1979: 1 · 1980: 1 · 1984: 5 · 1986: 3 · 1994: 2 · 1998: 5 · 2002: 20 · 2005: 6 · 2008: 3 · 2009: 9 · 2010: 7 · 2014: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 2; 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 Seminole County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Seminole County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.9 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 Moderate | $3.5M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $232K | 32 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $173K | 74 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $642K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $823K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $19K | once in about 1,758 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $3.2M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $42K | once in about 955 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Seminole 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 Seminole CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Seminole County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis