Whitfield County, Georgia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 13313 · population 102,749 · 290 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 509 records for Whitfield County, Georgia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 354 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (223 records). The deadliest single record is the April 3, 1974 tornado: 2 deaths and 25 injuries. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1973, 14 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
- 509on 354 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 331 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $31Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 7strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 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 Whitfield County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 223 since 1955. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in May and June. 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 | 223 | 140 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 1 | $4.0M | 28 of 159 |
| Hail | 70 | 62 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $47K | 30 of 159 |
| Winter storms | 47 | 46 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | 24 of 159 |
| Floods | 45 | 25 | 1997-2021 | 0 | 0 | $4.1M | 19 of 159 |
| Drought | 39 | 39 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | 42 of 159 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 16 | 16 | 2002-2020 | 0 | 0 | $18K | 43 of 159 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 1996-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 159 |
| High wind and dust storms | 13 | 13 | 2002-2011 | 0 | 1 | $147K | 29 of 159 |
| Lightning | 12 | 11 | 1999-2018 | 1 | 1 | $251K | 25 of 159 |
| Heat | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 159 |
| Heavy rain | 8 | 8 | 2001-2008 | 0 | 0 | $612K | 10 of 159 |
| Tornadoes | 7 | 7 | 1950-2017 | 2 | 28 | $16M | 124 of 159 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2010-2014 | 0 | 0 | $31K | 22 of 159 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2019-2019 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 3 of 159 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 121 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 Whitfield County had?
NOAA records 7 tornadoes in Whitfield County from 1950 to 2017, the strongest rated F4, with 2 deaths and 28 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 8 tornadoes whose track touched Whitfield County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 7: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 9 people, 2 of them in Whitfield County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 16:40, as SPC files it | Resaca to Chatsworth | F4 | 29.5 mi | 9 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Georgia.
Every tornado record filed for Whitfield County (7)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-05-24 | Gordon Spgs, Whitfield County | EF1 1.61 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2014-04-28 | Mills, Whitfield County | EF1 3.39 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $37K |
| 1992-04-24 | Whitfield County | F0 0.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1983-05-19 | Whitfield County | F1 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1974-04-03 | Whitfield County | F4 3.3 mi x 150 yd | 2 | 25 | $2.5M step |
| 1974-01-11 | Whitfield County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1950-05-30 | Whitfield County | F1 0.5 mi x 7 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 Whitfield County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($4,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindFive Springs, Whitfield County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Ice StormWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-01 | DroughtWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindDalton, Whitfield County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindRed Clay, Whitfield County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindVarnell, Whitfield County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindToonnerville, Whitfield County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindCallaway Mill, Whitfield County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindMount Vernon, Whitfield County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2025-05-25 | Thunderstorm WindFive Springs, Whitfield County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 | TornadoWhitfield County | F4 3.3 mi x 150 yd | 2 | 25 | $2.5M step |
| 2018-07-04 | LightningFillmore, Whitfield County A man was reported struck by lightning near Dalton on the 4th of July and later died. Officials confirmed the fatality several days after the event. Exact time is unknown. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1983-05-19 | TornadoWhitfield County | F1 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 2009-01-07 | Strong WindWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield The Whitfield county Emergency Management Director reported that a person sustained minor injuries when a falling tree limb struck them in the head as they were walking along LaFayette Road just southwest of Rocky Face. One tree fell on an unoccupied home in Dalton, destroying the home. At least five other trees were ... | 35 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $103K |
| 2003-07-13 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Whitfield County The Whitfield county 911 center reported that a number of trees and power lines were blown down across the county. The Daily Citizen of Dalton reported that one tree fell on a home in Dalton and another fell on an abandoned car. In another incident, a girl was injured when a tree fell on her as she was coming in from ... | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $40K |
| 2001-07-19 | LightningTunnel Hill, Whitfield County The Dalton Daily Citizen reported that a man was injured when lightning struck a nearby tree. The lightning bolt traveled from the tree through a wooden shed, in which the man was working, then down a shovel hanging on the wall and then on to the man's foot. The shovel was splintered. The man's foot turned completely ... | 0 | 1 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindRocky Face, Whitfield County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.6M |
| 2003-05-22 | Flash FloodCountywide, Whitfield County | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2000-06-01 | DroughtWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2009-09-21 | FloodRed Clay, Whitfield County | 0 | 0 | $688K | |
| 2008-03-15 | Heavy RainDalton, Whitfield County | 0 | 0 | $411K | |
| 2003-05-07 | FloodWhitfield County · forecast zone Whitfield | 0 | 0 | $401K | |
| 2014-09-03 | Flash FloodCallaway Mill, Whitfield County | 0 | 0 | $312K | |
| 2009-09-21 | FloodVarnell, Whitfield County | 0 | 0 | $275K |
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: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Whitfield 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 Whitfield 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 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 38 | 54 | 91 |
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 32 | 10 | 6 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 17 | 21 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 17 | 7 | 19 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 2 | 16 | 14 | 7 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 29 · Mar 48 · Apr 60 · May 72 · Jun 74 · Jul 65 · Aug 47 · Sep 32 · Oct 13 · Nov 9 · Dec 27 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Whitfield County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Whitfield County: 8 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (4) and tornado (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3642 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1990-02-23 | DR-857 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornaodes & Flooding |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3044 | Drought | Drought |
| 1974-04-05 | DR-425 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1973-04-04 | DR-370 | Tornado | Tornadoes & 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 Whitfield County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 45 flood or flash flood records for Whitfield County from 1997 to 2021, on 25 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Whitfield County ranks 1341st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $5.2 million on 93 claims filed in Whitfield County; the most in one year was 24 in 2003. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1984: 2 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 8 · 1994: 13 · 1995: 3 · 1997: 1 · 2003: 24 · 2004: 4 · 2005: 1 · 2009: 6 · 2010: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 1 · 2024: 9; 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 Whitfield County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Whitfield County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $37.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | Relatively High | $8.7M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $7.0M | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $847K | 62 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $4.9M | once in about 241 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $231K | 5.6 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $652K | 4.7 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.0M | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $14M | 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 Whitfield 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 Whitfield CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Whitfield County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis