Irwin County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Georgia Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Irwin County is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Irwin County is about the same as Georgia average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #104
| Irwin County | 0.01 |
| Georgia | 0.08 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Irwin County | 0.0000 |
| Georgia | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #46
| Irwin County | 180.73 |
| Georgia | 179.92 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 8,099 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Irwin County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 29 | Dense Fog: | 47 | Drought: | 49 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 348 | Hail: | 1,995 | Heat: | 17 | Heavy Snow: | 35 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 18 | Ice Storm: | 13 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 57 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,932 | Tropical Storm: | 33 | Wildfire: | 11 | Winter Storm: | 10 | Winter Weather: | 44 |
| Other: | 461 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Irwin County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Irwin County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Irwin County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 60 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Irwin County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.8 | 1967-06-19 | 2 | 31°42'N / 83°15'W | 0.90 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ben Hill | |
| 7.9 | 1963-06-14 | 2 | 31°43'N / 83°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Ben Hill | |
| 9.0 | 1967-05-22 | 2 | 31°33'N / 83°25'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Tift | |
| 13.3 | 1955-04-02 | 2 | 31°32'N / 83°31'W | 31°33'N / 83°28'W | 3.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Tift |
| 14.7 | 1969-05-15 | 2 | 31°28'N / 83°28'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Tift | |
| 14.7 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°32'N / 83°39'W | 31°37'N / 83°24'W | 15.80 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tift |
| 15.6 | 1952-05-11 | 3 | 31°22'N / 83°15'W | 31°24'N / 83°12'W | 4.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Berrien |
| 21.4 | 1968-08-24 | 2 | 31°40'N / 83°38'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 12 | 250K | 0 | Turner | |
| 23.7 | 1971-05-12 | 2 | 31°36'N / 82°54'W | 31°38'N / 82°51'W | 4.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 24.3 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 31°26'N / 83°08'W | 31°34'N / 82°38'W | 30.80 Miles | 233 Yards | 0 | 28 | 2.5M | 0 | Coffee |
| 25.0 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°31'N / 83°44'W | 31°32'N / 83°39'W | 5.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Worth |
| 25.3 | 1957-04-08 | 3 | 31°51'N / 83°05'W | 31°51'N / 82°50'W | 14.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Telfair |
| 25.3 | 2002-11-12 | 2 | 31°26'N / 82°56'W | 31°27'N / 82°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 50K | Coffee |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down in field along the Atkinson-Coffee County line near Marshal Corbet Road. Just inside of Coffee county one wood frame structure had a portion of its roof removed. Three large 100 yard long chicken houses were totally destroyed and machinery tossed about. One automobile was picked up and landed on the roof of a brick structure. Extensive roof damage to brick structure. Several work sheds destroyed. Trees snapped off and twisted at tops with debris wrapped in tree tops. Numerous large live oak trees felled. Clear evidence of rotation was noted by investigating officials. The storm continued north in a discontinuous path doing damage to cotton fields. the tornado crossed Highway 135 at the Satilla River with trees again snapped and twisted at the tops. Approximately 1 mile north of the Satilla River the tornado passed over an airstrip destroying a hanger/office structure and severely damaging a crop dusting aircraft. Debris from the destroyed chicken houses was identified at this site some 3 miles from its point of origin. This was the final discernable touchdown, although there was some evidence from debris further north that the system continued as a funnel cloud just above tree top level into southeast Douglas. | |||||||||||
| 25.5 | 1971-01-05 | 2 | 31°31'N / 82°50'W | 31°30'N / 82°53'W | 3.30 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 25.6 | 1972-06-19 | 2 | 31°29'N / 82°52'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Coffee | |
| 25.9 | 1982-12-29 | 2 | 31°56'N / 83°04'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Telfair | |
| 26.8 | 1964-04-08 | 2 | 31°22'N / 82°55'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Atkinson | |
| 27.2 | 2007-03-02 | 2 | 31°30'N / 83°45'W | 31°31'N / 83°42'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0K | Worth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF-2 tornado touched down on Sumner Lakes Road just south of Sumner. One mobile home was completely destroyed, with the debris blown several hundred yards away. The four occupants inside received warning of the approaching tornado and promptly vacated the home for a reinforced shelter. Of the two dozen structures that were damaged, half were heavily damaged. Numerous utility poles and trees in the path of the tornado were snapped. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of March 1 ahead of advancing warm front across southwest Georgia, producing several reports of wind damage. Later that evening into the predawn hours of March 2, a squall line formed ahead of a cold front, with several reports of wind damage and tornadoes across portions of southwest and south central Georgia. One of the tornadoes tore through a mobile home park just north of Newton, killing six and injuring three. | |||||||||||
| 27.4 | 2000-02-14 | 2 | 31°18'N / 83°38'W | 31°21'N / 83°35'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.0M | 0 | Tift |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado crossed U.S. Highway 319 from extreme northeast Colquitt County into extreme southwest Tift County, just south of Omega. Twelve mobile homes and eight pre-fabricated homes were destroyed. Numerous frame homes were damaged, including some moved off their block foundations. Ten persons were injured. Numerous trees and power lines were down. Just northeast of Omega, a school bus was blown into a nearby home. Tift County was declared a federal disaster area. Reported by the Tift County EMA. | |||||||||||
| 27.9 | 1975-01-12 | 2 | 31°27'N / 84°00'W | 31°41'N / 83°30'W | 33.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth |
| 28.1 | 2000-02-14 | 2 | 31°19'N / 83°38'W | 31°20'N / 83°37'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 1 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Colquitt |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado tore through extreme northeast Colquitt County near Crosland toppling trees and power lines before it moved into extreme southwest Tift County. Several mobile homes were damaged. One woman was killed in a mobile home just northeast of Crosland when a large tree and another mobile home were blown against her home. Colquitt County was declared a federal disaster area. Reported by a amateur radio operator and the Colquitt County EMA. F43MH | |||||||||||
| 28.7 | 1971-04-23 | 2 | 32°01'N / 83°20'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 29.8 | 1961-04-03 | 2 | 31°35'N / 83°59'W | 31°35'N / 83°35'W | 23.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth |
| 30.4 | 1952-01-28 | 2 | 31°31'N / 83°47'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth | |
| 30.8 | 1964-12-25 | 2 | 31°38'N / 83°48'W | 2.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crisp | |
| 31.9 | 1970-06-22 | 2 | 31°10'N / 83°27'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cook | |
| 33.1 | 1966-05-16 | 2 | 31°32'N / 83°50'W | 0.90 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Worth | |
| 33.2 | 1958-11-28 | 2 | 31°58'N / 83°39'W | 0.60 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crisp | |
| 34.1 | 1961-02-24 | 2 | 32°05'N / 83°08'W | 0.50 Mile | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Baldwin | |
| 34.2 | 1996-03-06 | 2 | 31°35'N / 83°56'W | 31°35'N / 83°47'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 6.0M | 2.0M | Worth |
| Brief Description: A tornado began near Oak Glenn and moved east across Worth County to Shingler. Several mobile homes were destroyed along with several tractor trailers. At least four large grain bins were demolished along with other farm buildings and equipment. Damage to timber was also significant. | |||||||||||
| 36.0 | 2007-03-02 | 2 | 31°26'N / 83°53'W | 31°30'N / 83°51'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 275K | 0K | Worth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado, rated EF-2, was spawned from the same supercell thunderstorm that produced the earlier tornado in Worth County. It touched down near McCarty Road. A brick frame house sustained severe roof damage with a couple of exterior walls collapsing. Two vehicles parked outside were carried into a nearby field. Large oak trees were uprooted, with one falling on a house. One mobile home was flipped over and rolled into a nearby tree. The tornado then moved northeast into a forest and uprooted hundreds of pines. It flattened a house, causing two minor injuries, before lifting just west of State Highway 33. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of March 1 ahead of advancing warm front across southwest Georgia, producing several reports of wind damage. Later that evening into the predawn hours of March 2, a squall line formed ahead of a cold front, with several reports of wind damage and tornadoes across portions of southwest and south central Georgia. One of the tornadoes tore through a mobile home park just north of Newton, killing six and injuring three. | |||||||||||
| 36.0 | 1951-05-23 | 2 | 31°18'N / 83°50'W | 31°16'N / 83°41'W | 9.20 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Colquitt |
| 36.4 | 1958-11-28 | 2 | 32°06'N / 83°04'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dodge | |
| 37.7 | 1989-11-08 | 2 | 32°07'N / 83°30'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 38.6 | 1973-02-08 | 2 | 31°35'N / 83°56'W | 2.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Worth | |
| 39.0 | 1961-04-12 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°40'W | 31°30'N / 82°35'W | 4.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffee |
| 39.4 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 32°01'N / 83°41'W | 32°04'N / 83°44'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dooly |
| 40.4 | 1966-05-16 | 2 | 31°26'N / 83°56'W | 1.00 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth | |
| 40.8 | 1971-01-15 | 2 | 31°38'N / 82°35'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bacon | |||
| 41.3 | 2007-04-15 | 2 | 32°11'N / 83°10'W | 32°12'N / 83°07'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0K | Dodge |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet another tornado touched down in Dodge county and traveled very near the city of Eastman once again. This tornado was from a different complex of thunderstorms than the one that caused the first tornado earlier. However, this was the same complex of thunderstorms that caused the tornado earlier in Crisp county. This time the tornado touched down one mile south of downtown Eastman, traveling northeast. The total path length was 4.5 miles with a maximum path width of 200 yards. The maximum wind speed within the tornado was estimated to be 120 mph. The Dodge County Road Department's garage was destroyed. Two mobile homes in the area were destroyed. A nearby home suffered significant damage when parts of its roof, an exterior wall, and patio were removed. An adjacent barn was also destroyed. Several other homes in the area sustained minor damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The fourth tornado outbreak of the year for the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area, and the second major tornado outbreak for the year, occurred across the southern portion of the forecast area, or central Georgia. A broad upper trough over the central U.S. was tracking eastward while a surface low deepened rapidly as it moved from northern Mississippi into eastern Virginia. A strong low-level jet accompanied the system with 50-60 knot winds observed at 850mb across central and south Georgia late in the day on the 14th. The low-level jet transported deep Gulf moisture northward into the region. Sunshine during the early part of the day destabilized the region sufficiently to allow for strong to severe supercell thunderstorms to track across central Georgia just south of a warm frontal boundary across north Georgia. Damage surveys confirmed that nine tornadoes tracked across central Georgia, including many of the same areas that were affected during the major tornado outbreak on March 1st. The was the second most significant tornado outbreak to impact the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area since the August 29, 2005 outbreak associated with Hurricane Katrinia. The state insurance commissioner reported that at least 81 site-built homes, 28 mobile homes, and 10 businesses were damaged or destroyed during the event. Damages to structures alone were near $5 million, with additional damages the result of downed trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 42.4 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 31°03'N / 84°35'W | 31°26'N / 83°08'W | 89.60 Miles | 233 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Grady |
| 42.4 | 1968-11-11 | 3 | 31°21'N / 83°56'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Worth | |
| 42.8 | 2007-03-02 | 2 | 31°27'N / 84°00'W | 31°28'N / 83°58'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 175K | 0K | Worth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The EF-2 tornado moved into western Worth County from southeastern Dougherty County. It uprooted trees and damaged several mobile homes north of Bridgeboro before lifting. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of March 1 ahead of advancing warm front across southwest Georgia, producing several reports of wind damage. Later that evening into the predawn hours of March 2, a squall line formed ahead of a cold front, with several reports of wind damage and tornadoes across portions of southwest and south central Georgia. One of the tornadoes tore through a mobile home park just north of Newton, killing six and injuring three. | |||||||||||
| 43.6 | 1972-01-05 | 2 | 32°11'N / 83°36'W | 32°11'N / 83°33'W | 3.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Montgomery |
| 43.7 | 1963-04-06 | 2 | 31°00'N / 83°34'W | 31°00'N / 83°26'W | 8.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Brooks |
| 44.6 | 1952-01-22 | 2 | 31°17'N / 84°00'W | 31°20'N / 83°54'W | 6.80 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Colquitt |
| 44.8 | 2003-03-20 | 2 | 31°22'N / 84°02'W | 31°24'N / 83°57'W | 6.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 2 | 0 | 750K | 0 | Worth |
| Brief Description: The F2 tornado traveled northeast from northeast Mitchell County into southwest Worth County. It damaged a few dozen homes and destroyed several others. Two persons were killed when their mobile home was destroyed. Numerous trees and power lines were down. A state of emergency was declared for Worth County. Reported by the Worth County EMA and CAP/NWS aerial survey team. F77MH, M50MH | |||||||||||
| 45.9 | 1971-04-23 | 3 | 32°01'N / 83°58'W | 32°02'N / 83°48'W | 9.90 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dooly |
| 46.0 | 1960-05-07 | 2 | 32°06'N / 83°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Dooly | |
| 46.2 | 2007-03-02 | 2 | 31°26'N / 84°05'W | 31°28'N / 84°00'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Dougherty |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The EF-2 tornado continued on its northeast track from northern Mitchell County into southeastern Dougherty County. It ripped carports and roof shingles off several homes on County Line Road and Jenkins Road. It also snapped hundreds of trees before it crossed into western Worth County. Ten homes suffered minor damage and two were heavily damaged. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of March 1 ahead of advancing warm front across southwest Georgia, producing several reports of wind damage. Later that evening into the predawn hours of March 2, a squall line formed ahead of a cold front, with several reports of wind damage and tornadoes across portions of southwest and south central Georgia. One of the tornadoes tore through a mobile home park just north of Newton, killing six and injuring three. | |||||||||||
| 46.8 | 1999-04-15 | 3 | 32°03'N / 83°58'W | 32°07'N / 83°43'W | 14.50 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 28 | 10.0M | 0 | Dooly |
| Brief Description: An NWS Storm survey showed the tornado touched down along highway 27 at the Flint River near Drayton. The tornado hopped eastward along highway 27, demolishing pecan orchards and barns, before devastating the town of Vienna. It exited the town between 2 schools, with only minor damage to either. It later crossed I-75 between Georgia highways 27 and 215, blocking the Interstate with debris. The storm lifted a short distance east of there between Noble Gin Road and Smyrna Church Road. The EMA director said 25 percent of homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Of the 28 injuries the most serious was a broken leg. Newspaper accounts reported 69 houses, 15 mobile homes, and 9 businesses were destroyed. Another 256 homes, 12 churches, 10 mobile homes, and 6 businesses suffered damage. Three apartment complexes were ruined and 70 power poles were ripped from the ground. Around 400 people were left homeless in a town with a population of over 2700. | |||||||||||
| 47.0 | 1961-04-03 | 2 | 31°35'N / 84°10'W | 31°35'N / 83°59'W | 10.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dougherty |
| 47.9 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 31°04'N / 83°56'W | 31°15'N / 83°52'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Colquitt |
| 48.4 | 1982-04-25 | 2 | 30°57'N / 82°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Lanier | |
| 48.6 | 1968-12-03 | 2 | 30°54'N / 83°18'W | 0.10 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lowndes | |
| 48.7 | 1993-10-30 | 2 | 31°40'N / 84°10'W | 31°42'N / 84°02'W | 5.00 Miles | 750 Yards | 3 | 27 | 50.0M | 0 | Lee |
| Brief Description: A tornado struck a subdivision five miles north of Albany and killed three people and injured another 27. At least 42 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Also, fifteen mobile homes were completely destroyed by the F2 tornado. The three fatalities occurred in a mobile home and all three victims bodies were blown 75 to 150 feet away from the dwelling. Most of the damaged or destroyed homes were two story with brick or stucco exterior. Several residents noted that the tornado sounded like a freight train as it passed overhead. One elderly lady stated that her dog became restless and started barking 20 minutes before the tornado struck her home. Continuous lightning was observed by several residents prior to and after the tornado touchdown. Several cars were destroyed by fallen trees or wind blown debris. Most of the trees downed by the tornado winds were 60 to 70 feet tall Southern Pine. Most trees were snapped in half and laid to rest in a general northeast direction. Property damage estimates topped $12 million dollars. The tornado stayed on the ground most of its lifetime and varied in width from one-quarter to one-half mile. The damage path was approximately five miles long and ran in a SW to NE direction. The forward speed of the tornado was 60 miles an hour. (F32M)(M14M)(M8M) | |||||||||||
| 48.7 | 1952-01-22 | 2 | 31°16'N / 84°01'W | 31°17'N / 84°00'W | 1.90 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mitchell |
| 48.7 | 1997-10-26 | 2 | 31°32'N / 82°26'W | 31°36'N / 82°28'W | 6.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 200K | 0 | Bacon |
| Brief Description: Ten homes destroyed, four with major damage, and 17 sustained minor damage. A four mile line of standing pine timber was completely destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 49.2 | 1961-04-12 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°35'W | 31°30'N / 82°19'W | 15.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Bacon |
| 49.9 | 1971-04-23 | 3 | 32°01'N / 84°00'W | 32°01'N / 83°57'W | 3.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Sumter |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.