White County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13311 · population 27,990 · 241 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 442 records for White County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 345 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (124 records). The deadliest single record is the March 20, 1998 tornado: 2 deaths, 75 injuries and $9.1 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1977, 19 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 345 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 682 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $54Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 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 White County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 124 since 1966. 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 | 124 | 102 | 1966-2026 | 3 | 5 | $12M | 43 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 78 | 75 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 5 of 159 |
| Hail | 63 | 51 | 1984-2023 | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | 32 of 159 |
| Floods | 50 | 22 | 1996-2021 | 1 | 0 | $1.5M | 17 of 159 |
| Drought | 42 | 42 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $5.4M | 24 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 22 | 22 | 2001-2022 | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | 7 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 16 | 16 | 2002-2020 | 0 | 0 | $60K | 32 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 8 | 1967-2018 | 2 | 75 | $26M | 86 of 159 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 2001-2019 | 0 | 2 | $182K | 59 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 4 | 4 | 2010-2014 | 0 | 0 | $44K | 11 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2001-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2002-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 65 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 White County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in White County from 1967 to 2018, the strongest rated F3, with 2 deaths and 75 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 White County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 19 people, 2 of them in White County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-03-20 05:25, as SPC files it | Clermont | F3 | 4 mi | 12 |
| 1994-03-27 12:17, as SPC files it | Dahlonega | F3 | 44 mi | 3 |
| 1994-03-27 13:23, as SPC files it | Sautee-Nacoochee | F3 | 23 mi | 3 |
| 2011-04-27 20:30, as SPC files it | Mountain | EF3 | 36.99 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for White County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-17 | Cleveland White Airport, White County | EF1 5.06 mi x 630 yd | 0 | 0 | $588K |
| 2011-04-27 | Cleveland White Airport, White County | EF2 12.16 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $131K |
| 2005-08-29 | Helen, White County | F2 5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $4.5M |
| 2005-08-29 | Rogers Mill, White County | F0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2005-07-11 | Cleveland, White County | F0 5 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | $113K |
| 1998-03-20 | Cleveland, White County | F3 4 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 75 | $9.1M |
| 1996-11-08 | Cleveland, White County | F0 7 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 1994-06-26 | Hall Co, White County | F1 4 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $10.0M |
| 1967-05-15 | White County | F1 0.9 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 White County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindEastburn, White County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-17 | DroughtWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Winter StormWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Ice StormWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindOculus, White County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindYonah, White County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindYonah, White County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindCleveland, White County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindYonah, White County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindBenefit, White County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2024-05-08 | Thunderstorm WindYonah, White County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $94K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-03-20 | TornadoCleveland, White County The tornado began in northwest Hall county and moved into southern White county. Total distance covered was about 13 miles. Aerial and ground surveys by NWS employees showed extensive damage along the path. There was significant damage to Lanier Elementary School and North Hall High School. Houses, trailers, ... | F3 4 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 75 | $9.1M |
| 2022-08-09 | Thunderstorm WindYonah, White County Report of numerous trees down on top of Mt Yonah. | 56 kt wind | 2 | 3 | – |
| 2004-09-16 | Flash FloodCountywide, White County The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with local newspapers, reported extensive and widespread flooding across White county. A six-year old girl, was swept away in flood waters, while outside in the front yard of her mobile home. The mobile home park was flooded by the waters from a nearby small stream. In ... | 1 | 0 | $469K | |
| 1989-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindWhite County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2003-06-16 | LightningHelen, White County The White county 911 center reported that two males, one a 9-year old and the other a 44-year old, were injured when struck by lightning. The injuries were reported to be minor. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2020-01-11 | Thunderstorm WindCleveland White Airport, White County The White County Emergency Manager reported trees blown down from Cleveland and Helen to Leaf. Near Cleveland, a tree fell onto a vehicle, one occupant had minor injuries. In Hellen several business reported damage to signs. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $29K |
| 2019-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindHelen, White County The White County Emergency Manager reported several trees blown down in Helen. Four trees fell across the Chattahoochee River where a 4 year old girl received a minor injury while tubing on the river. A tree was blown down in the parking lot at the Unicoi Hill Park landing on and damaging two vehicles. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $29K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindChattooga, White County | 0 | 0 | $10.0M | |
| 1998-03-20 | TornadoCleveland, White County | F3 4 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 75 | $9.1M |
| 2005-08-29 | TornadoHelen, White County | F2 5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $4.5M |
| 2012-10-29 | High WindWhite County · forecast zone White | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3.2M |
| 1997-09-01 | DroughtWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 1996-11-08 | TornadoCleveland, White County | F0 7 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 2018-03-17 | TornadoCleveland White Airport, White County | EF1 5.06 mi x 630 yd | 0 | 0 | $588K |
| 2010-08-21 | Flash FloodOculus, White County | 0 | 0 | $541K |
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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 15, 1967 (tornado, White 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 White 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 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 24 | 31 | 34 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 30 | 31 | 7 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 6 | 13 | 29 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 3 | 17 | 17 | 5 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 15 | 6 | 1 |
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 White County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 46 · Feb 40 · Mar 55 · Apr 29 · May 47 · Jun 49 · Jul 39 · Aug 50 · Sep 25 · Oct 20 · Nov 17 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for White County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include White County: 13 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and severe storm (4).
| 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 |
| 2021-05-05 | DR-4600 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2021-01-12 | DR-4579 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4501 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3464 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-09-15 | DR-4338 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-08 | EM-3387 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2015-04-20 | DR-4215 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-03-06 | DR-4165 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2014-02-11 | EM-3368 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2011-04-29 | DR-1973 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3218 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-18 | DR-1554 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 2000-01-28 | DR-1311 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1998-03-11 | DR-1209 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1995-10-10 | DR-1071 | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal |
| 1994-03-31 | DR-1020 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, and Severe Storms |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3097 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 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 White County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 50 flood or flash flood records for White County from 1996 to 2021, on 22 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), White County ranks 1596th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ivan | 2004-09-16 | 1 | 1 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $693,000 on 58 claims filed in White County; the most in one year was 18 in 2021. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1996: 1 · 1998: 4 · 2004: 15 · 2005: 1 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 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 White County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates White County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $14.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.8M | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.2M | 2.5 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $200K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $404K | 62 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $6K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.8M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $442K | once in about 416 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $5.8M | about once 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 White 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 White CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download White County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis