Tattnall County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13267 · population 22,744 · 481 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 357 records for Tattnall County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 246 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (196 records). The deadliest single record is the May 12, 1974 tornado: 2 deaths and 7 injuries. FEMA has issued 23 declarations naming the county since 1966, 21 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
- 357on 246 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 318 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $20Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 13strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 23latest 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 Tattnall County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 196 since 1961. 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 | 196 | 140 | 1961-2026 | 0 | 6 | $457K | 84 of 159 |
| Hail | 68 | 43 | 1981-2024 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 91 of 159 |
| Drought | 23 | 23 | 1996-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 134 of 159 |
| Floods | 23 | 15 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $71K | 83 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 13 | 12 | 1957-2017 | 2 | 12 | $18M | 119 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 8 | 7 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 120 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 7 | 7 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 0 | $241K | 140 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 113 of 159 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 122 of 159 |
| Lightning | 5 | 5 | 1998-2017 | 1 | 0 | $1.2M | 83 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2004-2008 | 0 | 0 | $21K | 106 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 Tattnall County had?
NOAA records 13 tornadoes in Tattnall County from 1957 to 2017, the strongest rated EF3, with 2 deaths and 12 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Tattnall County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 13, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-05-12 02:45, as SPC files it | Glennville | F2 | 9.4 mi | 2 |
| 2008-05-11 05:35, as SPC files it | Cobbtown | EF3 | 7.32 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Tattnall County (13)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-01-21 | Tison, Tattnall County | EF0 0.91 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-11 | Cobbtown, Tattnall County | EF3 4.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $1.4M |
| 2004-06-21 | Mendes, Tattnall County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-02-06 | Reidsville, Tattnall County | F0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 1991-03-03 | Tattnall County | F1 0.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1984-05-03 | Tattnall County | F1 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1977-06-19 | Tattnall County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-05-12 | Tattnall County | F2 9.4 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 7 | $2.5M step |
| 1971-04-23 | Tattnall County | F2 5.6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $25K step |
| 1971-01-15 | Tattnall County | F2 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-01-15 | Tattnall County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1961-03-31 | Tattnall County | F2 0.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1957-06-13 | Tattnall County | F0 0.3 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 Tattnall County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 11, 2025 flash flood ($15,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindReidsville, Tattnall County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindReidsville Airport, Tattnall County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillTattnall County · forecast zone Tattnall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillTattnall County · forecast zone Tattnall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-18 | Winter WeatherTattnall County · forecast zone Tattnall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-11 | Cold/Wind ChillTattnall County · forecast zone Tattnall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindAltamaha, Tattnall County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindMendes, Tattnall County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindAltamaha, Tattnall County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-11 | Flash FloodManassas, Tattnall County | 0 | 0 | $15K | |
| 2025-01-21 | Winter StormTattnall County · forecast zone Tattnall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-06-10 | HailGlennville, Tattnall County | 2.00 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-05-12 | TornadoTattnall County | F2 9.4 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 7 | $2.5M step |
| 1999-05-06 | LightningCobbtown, Tattnall County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1986-07-29 | Thunderstorm WindTattnall County | 0 | 6 | – | |
| 1971-04-23 | TornadoTattnall County | F2 5.6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $25K step |
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoCobbtown, Tattnall County A confirmed EF-3 Tornado crossed into extreme northwestern Tattnall county from Toombs county, then continued east-southeastward into the community of Cobbtown, Georgia before turning east and dissipating. The first indications of significant damage, consistent with an EF-1 Tornado, occurred along Representative ... | EF3 4.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $1.4M |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-05-11 | TornadoCobbtown, Tattnall County | EF3 4.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $1.4M |
| 2009-02-28 | LightningReidsville, Tattnall County | 0 | 0 | $688K | |
| 1998-06-28 | LightningGlennville, Tattnall County | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 2004-02-06 | TornadoReidsville, Tattnall County | F0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2025-05-11 | Flash FloodManassas, Tattnall County | 0 | 0 | $15K | |
| 2008-05-11 | Thunderstorm WindHughland, Tattnall County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2011-03-27 | HailMidway, Tattnall County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3K |
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 12, 1974 (tornado, Tattnall County, 2 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 Tattnall 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 | 4 | 12 | 25 | 50 | 64 | 40 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 21 | 22 | 7 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 11 | 5 | 5 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 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?
Records by month in Tattnall County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 24 · Feb 21 · Mar 32 · Apr 35 · May 50 · Jun 78 · Jul 38 · Aug 42 · Sep 14 · Oct 8 · Nov 9 · Dec 6 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Tattnall County
FEMA's register lists 23 declarations that include Tattnall County: 12 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (10) and tropical 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 |
| 2024-09-24 | DR-4821 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
| 2017-01-26 | DR-4297 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2016-10-08 | DR-4284 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2016-10-06 | EM-3379 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 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 |
| 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 Tattnall County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 23 flood or flash flood records for Tattnall County from 1998 to 2025, on 15 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Tattnall County ranks 1976th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $399,000 on 26 claims filed in Tattnall 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
2003: 2 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 3 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 6; 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 Tattnall County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tattnall County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $20.0 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 High | $12M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $1.2M | 23 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $535K | 69 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $631K | once in about 503 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $492K | 7.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $986K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $463K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $3.2M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Tattnall 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 Tattnall CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Tattnall County's FEMA declarations (CSV)23 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis