Towns County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Georgia Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Towns County is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Towns County is much lower than Georgia average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #15
| Towns County | 0.17 |
| 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
| Towns 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, #105
| Towns County | 98.47 |
| 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 17,131 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Towns 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: | 38 | Dense Fog: | 8 | Drought: | 140 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,144 | Hail: | 5,139 | Heat: | 31 | Heavy Snow: | 109 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 11 | Ice Storm: | 50 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 117 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 8,888 | Tropical Storm: | 25 | Wildfire: | 3 | Winter Storm: | 98 | Winter Weather: | 94 |
| Other: | 1,236 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Towns County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 2 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Towns County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 43.2 | 1979-08-26 | 3.7 | 2 | 34.93 | -82.97 |
| 43.4 | 1979-08-13 | 3.7 | 5 | 35.24 | -84.38 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 40 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Towns County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 14.1 | 2005-08-29 | 2 | 34°40'N / 83°42'W | 34°44'N / 83°43'W | 5.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | White |
| Brief Description: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in cooperation with the White County Emergency Management Director and the White County Sheriff concluded that an F2 tornado had carved a five mile long path of destruction, roughly parallel to Georgia Highway 75, causing major destruction to the town of Helen. Extensive damage was reported to several business in downtown Helen, a Bavarian tourist town in the northeast Georgia mountains. The entire second floor was ripped off the Helen Econo Lodge by the tornado. A nearby chapel was completely destroyed. The roof of Hansel & Gretel's Candy Kitchen, the Alpine Village Shoppes, as well as that of a nearby barbecue company were all ripped off by the tornadic winds. A Circle K grocery store also suffered significant damage. Hundreds of trees were also down. One resident reported losing 200 trees just at his property. Georgia Highway 75 was completely blocked on both the north and south side of Helen from downed trees. Many power lines were also down in the area and power was out to much of the area for at least two days. | |||||||||||
| 19.8 | 1989-11-15 | 3 | 34°37'N / 83°36'W | 34°42'N / 83°30'W | 8.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Habersham |
| 20.2 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 34°58'N / 83°23'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rabun | |
| 20.6 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 34°34'N / 83°56'W | 34°41'N / 83°48'W | 10.00 Miles | 867 Yards | 1 | 7 | 2.5M | 0 | Lumpkin |
| 22.6 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°58'N / 84°13'W | 35°09'N / 83°57'W | 18.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 4 | 26 | 25.0M | 0 | Cherokee |
| 27.5 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°30'N / 83°34'W | 34°36'N / 83°27'W | 8.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Habersham |
| 29.0 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°16'N / 83°59'W | 35°20'N / 83°49'W | 10.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 2 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Graham |
| 30.0 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°57'N / 84°18'W | 34°58'N / 84°13'W | 5.10 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Fannin |
| 31.5 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°20'N / 83°49'W | 35°23'N / 83°35'W | 13.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Swain |
| 31.6 | 1966-12-10 | 2 | 34°35'N / 83°20'W | 0.50 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Stephens | |
| 32.1 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°28'N / 83°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Habersham | |
| 32.6 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°59'W | 34°30'N / 83°52'W | 9.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hall |
| 33.5 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 34°38'N / 83°14'W | 34°42'N / 83°12'W | 4.50 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee |
| 33.7 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 34°33'N / 83°19'W | 34°38'N / 83°14'W | 6.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 15 | 2.5M | 0 | Stephens |
| 34.4 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 34°49'N / 84°21'W | 34°51'N / 84°19'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Fannin |
| 34.4 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°34'N / 83°17'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stephens | |||
| 35.1 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°30'N / 84°09'W | 34°32'N / 84°07'W | 3.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lumpkin |
| 35.3 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°46'W | 34°22'N / 83°40'W | 7.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hall |
| 35.4 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°48'N / 83°17'W | 34°57'N / 82°56'W | 22.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 38.8 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°26'N / 83°27'W | 34°21'N / 83°27'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 39.3 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°22'N / 83°35'W | 34°22'N / 83°25'W | 9.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 39.7 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°27'N / 84°15'W | 34°30'N / 84°09'W | 6.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 5 | 13 | 2.5M | 0 | Dawson |
| 39.9 | 1965-04-15 | 2 | 34°23'N / 84°07'W | 34°22'N / 83°55'W | 11.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pickens |
| 40.7 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 34°41'N / 84°30'W | 34°49'N / 84°21'W | 12.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Gilmer |
| 40.8 | 1980-04-28 | 2 | 35°15'N / 84°20'W | 35°16'N / 84°17'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 41.7 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°18'N / 83°52'W | 34°18'N / 83°42'W | 9.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 21 | 2.5M | 0 | Hall |
| 42.4 | 1994-06-26 | 2 | 34°51'N / 83°02'W | 34°58'N / 82°56'W | 12.00 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | Oconee |
| 42.5 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°52'N / 82°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee | |
| 42.8 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°40'N / 83°06'W | 34°40'N / 82°58'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 42.9 | 1976-06-28 | 2 | 35°19'N / 83°10'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 43.2 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°24'N / 83°20'W | 34°25'N / 83°12'W | 7.80 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin |
| 43.8 | 2002-11-11 | 2 | 34°25'N / 84°16'W | 34°27'N / 84°14'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 200K | 0 | Dawson |
| Brief Description: The Dawson county Emergency Management Director reported that the tornado that originated in Cherokee county and traveled across Pickens county, entered Dawson county in the Big Canoe area and continued to just east-northeast of the Big Canoe area before dissipating. Two double-wide mobile homes were completely destroyed just east of the Big Canoe area as large trees fell on the structures. While the contents of one were salvagable, those of the other were destroyed. Three injuries occurred at one of these mobile homes as the residents were trapped by the downed trees on the structure. In addition, there were four other homes that received minor damage in the Big Canoe area. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in the area of the tornado and some roads were temporarily blocked as a result. Dawson county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor. | |||||||||||
| 43.8 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 34°20'N / 83°30'W | 6.50 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 44.6 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°16'W | 34°27'N / 83°07'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Franklin |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado damage path began near Farmers Academy Rd, about 0.5 mile south of highway 106. The tornado crossed Red Hill School Rd, where some outbuildings were destroyed and a couple of mobile homes received minor roof damage. As the tornado continued northeast, some frame homes on highway 106 received minor roof damage. The most significant damage occurred on Crumps Bridge Rd, where one large chicken house was completely destroyed, and several others received major damage. The tornado continued to move northeast, uprooting or snapping off numerous trees as it crossed highway 145 and Greater Hope Rd. From there, the tornado began to move in a more east/northeast direction, continuing to blow down trees as it moved roughly parallel to North Clarks Creek Rd. As the tornado crossed Hulsey Rd, roofs were blown off the wood frame addition to a mobile home and a barn. After the tornado crossed highway 17 and Pleasant Hill Circle, it continued to turn more to the right, traveling due east near the to Wilson Rd, where a mobile home was moved off its foundation, and the steel siding and some roofing material was blown off a building. The tornado continued to travel east, or even east/southeast, before lifting in the Gerrard Rd area. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into extreme northeast Georgia in the early evening hours. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage. | |||||||||||
| 46.1 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°34'W | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 1.90 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jackson |
| 46.6 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°22'N / 84°20'W | 34°27'N / 84°15'W | 7.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 17 | 2.5M | 0 | Pickens |
| 47.8 | 1977-03-30 | 2 | 34°37'N / 84°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Gilmer | |
| 48.8 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°16'W | 34°20'N / 83°16'W | 5.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 1 | 75K | 0 | Franklin |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down west of Franklin Springs, then moved north-northwest, damaging several homes, businesses, and vehicles as it tracked toward Carnesville. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. A 38-year-old woman was killed when the vehicle she was driving was hit by a falling tree. A passenger in the vehicle received minor injuries. F38VE | |||||||||||
| 49.4 | 1966-05-01 | 2 | 34°12'N / 83°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 49.6 | 1970-04-02 | 3 | 34°14'N / 84°11'W | 34°19'N / 84°08'W | 6.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Forsyth |
* 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.