Rockingham, GA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Rockingham is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Rockingham is lower than Georgia average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #660
| Rockingham, GA | 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
| Rockingham, GA | 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, #588
| Rockingham, GA | 118.11 |
| 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 2,083 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Rockingham, GA 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: | 13 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 43 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 85 | Hail: | 506 | Heat: | 14 | Heavy Snow: | 11 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 4 | Ice Storm: | 5 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 23 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,221 | Tropical Storm: | 10 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 5 | Winter Weather: | 5 |
| Other: | 135 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Rockingham, GA.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Rockingham, GA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 46.9 | 1976-12-27 | 3.7 | 5 | 32.22 | -82.46 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 36 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Rockingham, GA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 3.5 | 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 |
| 6.5 | 1962-01-06 | 2 | 31°36'N / 82°24'W | 31°39'N / 82°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bacon |
| 6.6 | 1957-11-29 | 2 | 31°28'N / 82°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Bacon | |
| 11.2 | 1976-03-16 | 2 | 31°28'N / 82°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 11.6 | 2009-12-02 | 2 | 31°30'N / 82°14'W | 31°31'N / 82°13'W | 1.00 Mile | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down at approximately 1415EST in northwest Pierce County near Merson Road and Crump Road. Several trees were damaged and a farm shed had portions of its sheet metal roof removed. Winds here were estimated to have been near 70 mph or EF-0. The tornado moved northeast across several fields and encountered two small farm structures and a wooded area along Tiny Lane. The structures were completely destroyed with their contents strewn across the wooded area. Extensive tree blow down occurred in the woods with many pines snapped at 10 to 15 feet above ground level. The tornado was estimated to have been an EF-1 event in this location with winds of 110 mph. The funnel continued to move across fields next encountering wooded areas and structures near Scuffletown Road. At this point the funnel was one quarter mile or approximately 440 yards wide with winds estimated at 105 mph. Extensive tree blow down continued here with one mobile home destroyed and substantial damage to a wood frame structure. The tornado crossed the Big Satilla Creek at this point, and crossed into Appling County, continuing on a northeast track. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Strong mid and upper low initially over Texas was moving east-northeast while the upper level trough it was embedded in became negatively tilted. This led to a broad diffluent pattern over most of the southeastern states. As the system approached the right rear quadrant of upper jet moved into the forecast area coincident with a low-level jet of, at least, 60 knots. This created atmospheric dynamics favorable for severe weather, with the only limiting factor being modest instability. A warm front over the area during the morning moved rapidly north in response to increasing southerly flow allowing a gradual increase in low level instability. By afternoon several severe weather events and three tornadoes occurred over portions of southeast Georgia. | |||||||||||
| 11.6 | 1971-01-15 | 2 | 31°38'N / 82°35'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bacon | |||
| 12.5 | 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 |
| 12.8 | 2009-12-02 | 2 | 31°31'N / 82°13'W | 31°34'N / 82°11'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Appling |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down at approximately 1415EST in northwest Pierce County near Merson Road and Crump Road. It crossed the Big Satilla Creek, entering into Appling County at this point, and continued on a northeast track. The funnel may have briefly lifted off the ground at this point. The next significant damage occurred along Metts-Overstreet Road with the complete destruction of a singlewide mobile home and a farm shed at approximately 1425EST. Additionally, at this location, a brick cider block structure had one wall knocked over. The tornado then moved into a dairy just west of the intersection of State Road 15 and Wireglass Road. The event was rated as an EF-2 with winds of 135 mph at this location. Three metal building structures were destroyed with one removed from its foundation and blown into a pile of scrap metal. It is possible the funnel may have approached EF-3 at this particular location with winds of 140 to 150 mph; however, other damage to frame and masonry structures at the dairy suggested a lower wind value should be assigned to this area. One individual escaped injury by jumping into a depressed area inside one of the structures before it blew down around her. East of State Road 15, along Wireglass Road, extensive tree blow down and snapping continued in a tree farm. Once again the funnel likely lifted off the ground touching down again at 1430EST near 4230 Antioch Church Road destroying a doublewide mobile home. At this location, two middle aged individuals were in the bedroom, preparing for work, when the funnel destroyed the mobile home. Both escaped with only minor cuts despite the fact that the doublewide was completely obliterated and the frames bent. Once again at this location the winds were rated at 135 mph for a strong EF-2 rating. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Strong mid and upper low initially over Texas was moving east-northeast while the upper level trough it was embedded in became negatively tilted. This led to a broad diffluent pattern over most of the southeastern states. As the system approached the right rear quadrant of upper jet moved into the forecast area coincident with a low-level jet of, at least, 60 knots. This created atmospheric dynamics favorable for severe weather, with the only limiting factor being modest instability. A warm front over the area during the morning moved rapidly north in response to increasing southerly flow allowing a gradual increase in low level instability. By afternoon several severe weather events and three tornadoes occurred over portions of southeast Georgia. | |||||||||||
| 18.5 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 31°34'N / 82°38'W | 31°48'N / 81°40'W | 59.10 Miles | 233 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Bacon |
| 19.1 | 1961-04-03 | 2 | 31°48'N / 82°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Appling | |
| 23.7 | 1970-02-25 | 2 | 31°12'N / 82°29'W | 31°12'N / 82°18'W | 10.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Ware |
| 24.0 | 2005-03-22 | 2 | 31°29'N / 82°01'W | 31°29'N / 82°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Wayne |
| Brief Description: NWS Storm Survey revealed 56 homes were damaged or destroyed (includes mobile and manufactured homes), 12 businesses were damaged or destroyed, 2 public buildings were damaged as well as 1 church. Only minor injuries were reported. Georgia Emergency Management issued a statement that stated 61 homes and 8 businesses were damaged; 10 homes and 5 business were destroyed. Below is a time line of calls the NWS received: 0430 pm EDT: Emergency Management reported 3 businesses destroyed and campers severely damaged in Screven from a tornado. 0430 pm EDT: Emergency Management reported numerous trees and power lines down in Screven. 0432 pm EDT: Tranied stomr spotter repored a tornado 5 miles south of Jesup and about 8 miles south of Odum. 0449 pm EDT: Tranied storm spotter and amateur radio operator reported quarter size hail in downtown Jesup and a tornado in Screven along 9 Run Road. 0450 pm EDT: Emergency Management reported campers were destroyed in Screven and a cabinet shop (Sreven Cabinet Company) was severely damaged with 1 person trapped inside. Other reports received about this event included 2 children trapped in a video store in Screven. They were pulled out and taken to the hospital with no major injuries. The Jesup Press Sentinel newspaper reported extensive damage occurred along J.L. Tyre Street and U.S. 84 in Screven. Two businesses hit particulary hard were the Screven Cabinet Company and Boyette's Camper Sales. One male was trapped in the cabinet shop after the tornado, and was successfully rescued with no notable injuries. A truck driver was driving at about 25 miles per hour in front of the cabinet shop when the tornado hit and flipped the vehicle, and the driver sufferd minor injuries. Additional business damaged by the tornado included the town's video store, Mary's IGA and Wasdin Cabinet and Doors. 0450 pm EDT: The general public sent an email that and reported a tornado in Screven and 2 inch hail in Jesup. | |||||||||||
| 26.0 | 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 |
| 26.7 | 1972-06-19 | 2 | 31°29'N / 82°52'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Coffee | |
| 26.8 | 1968-11-18 | 3 | 31°10'N / 82°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ware | |
| 27.4 | 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 |
| 27.5 | 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 |
| 28.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 31.8 | 1964-04-08 | 2 | 31°22'N / 82°55'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Atkinson | |
| 34.3 | 1963-01-20 | 2 | 32°02'N / 82°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 34.3 | 1966-02-28 | 2 | 32°02'N / 82°30'W | 0.90 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 38.2 | 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 |
| 39.1 | 1963-01-13 | 2 | 31°20'N / 81°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Brantley | |
| 39.2 | 1971-01-15 | 2 | 31°56'N / 81°56'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Tattnall | |
| 43.5 | 1998-04-09 | 2 | 31°50'N / 81°47'W | 31°51'N / 81°45'W | 2.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 3 | 24 | 200K | 0 | Long |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down in the Rye Patch Community where 3 people died (all were in mobile homes).Ten mobile homes were destroyed and two others were damaged along with a roof blown off a block house. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off above the ground. F13MH, F30MH, M49MH | |||||||||||
| 43.7 | 1974-05-12 | 2 | 31°56'N / 81°56'W | 31°59'N / 81°47'W | 9.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 7 | 2.5M | 0 | Tattnall |
| 43.7 | 1971-04-23 | 2 | 32°00'N / 81°58'W | 32°02'N / 81°53'W | 5.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Tattnall |
| 43.9 | 1961-03-31 | 2 | 32°00'N / 81°54'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Tattnall | |
| 45.8 | 1975-01-12 | 2 | 32°12'N / 82°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Toombs | |
| 46.6 | 1968-06-02 | 2 | 32°13'N / 82°25'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Toombs | |
| 46.7 | 1982-12-29 | 2 | 31°56'N / 83°04'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Telfair | |
| 46.7 | 1974-05-12 | 2 | 31°50'N / 81°42'W | 0.60 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Long | |
| 47.5 | 2005-12-05 | 2 | 30°58'N / 82°52'W | 30°58'N / 82°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clinch |
| Brief Description: A mini-supercell storm over western Clinch county tracked north-northeast roughly along Highway 84. At 310 pm tornado damage was reported near Du Pont. A home was damaged at 2371 Edward Lee Road, which is about 2 miles east of downtown Du Pont. Numerous trees and power lines were also down mainly south of Du Pont along Olive Leaf Road. An NWS Storm Survey the day after the tornado revealed F2 damage. The tornado path was narrow (50 yards), but the circulation damaged several structures near Du Pont including a brick carport and porch. A semi-truck was lifted on top of another semi, and much of a blueberry packaging structure was destroyed. Winds were estimated at 120-150 mph. | |||||||||||
| 48.8 | 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 |
| 49.0 | 2008-05-11 | 2 | 32°15'N / 82°23'W | 32°15'N / 82°22'W | 1.00 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 500K | 0K | Toombs |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down in extreme northwest Toombs county, approxmiately three miles south-southwest of Normantown. This tornado was spawned by the same thunderstorm that less than 10 minutes prior had spanwed an EF3 tornado, the strongest tornado of this event, just south of Soperton in Treutlen county, which tracked into extreme northeast Montgomery county. This first tornado in Toombs county was only on the ground for about one mile, but caused considerable damage. Four mobile homes were completely destroyed, resulting in three minor injuries and the displacement of seven families from their homes. A church also sustained heavy damage. Two brick homes were damaged as well as several barns, sheds, and storage buildings. In addition a tractor-trailer rig was overturned. Some 200 to 300 pine trees were also blown down in the area. The tornado path width was determined to be 150 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary front was draped across north Georgia early on May 10th with an active northwest flow aloft. Meanwhile...a vigorous short wave aloft was approaching the area from the southern plains. The stationary front provided the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, one early in the morning on the 10th and another in the afternoon. The activity tracked east-southeast with the upper flow aloft, mainly across north Georgia during the early morning and across central Georgia during the afternoon. An isolated strong supercell also tracked across the southern part of central Georgia during the evening. After a lull of convective activity for about four hours, intense multicell thunderstorms tracked into the area from Alabama after midnight and before dawn on the 11th. As these thunderstorms tracked across west central and central Georgia, 15 tornadoes were identified by subsequent surveys making this the most significant tornado outbreak to affect the area since the Katrina-associated tornadoes on August 29, 2005. Millions of dollars of property damage were reported as many homes were destroyed from these tornadoes from the western and southern suburbs of Atlanta southeastward across Macon, Dublin, and other counties in east central and southeast Georgia. Many of these counties were eligible for disaster assistance from the federal government. In addition to the tornadoes and thunderstorm winds that caused extensive damage in dozens of counties across north and central Georgia during the early morning hours of May 11th, strong gradient winds developed on the back side of the strong cold front that moved through the area as low pressure intensified across the mid-Atlantic region. The strong winds combined with wet ground resulted in dozens of trees being blown down in some north Georgia counties. There were also two deaths as a result of downed trees in Barrow and Gwinnett county, all non-thunderstorm-related winds. | |||||||||||
* 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.