Elbert County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Elbert County is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Elbert County is much lower than Georgia average and is much lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #120
Elbert County | 0.00 |
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
Elbert 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, #120
Elbert County | 0.00 |
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 14,979 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Elbert 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: | 37 | Dense Fog: | 7 | Drought: | 111 |
Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 865 | Hail: | 4,798 | Heat: | 29 | Heavy Snow: | 80 |
High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 12 | Ice Storm: | 42 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 129 |
Thunderstorm Winds: | 7,634 | Tropical Storm: | 30 | Wildfire: | 4 | Winter Storm: | 72 | Winter Weather: | 84 |
Other: | 1,045 |
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Elbert County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Elbert County.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
26.3 | 1974-08-02 | 4.9 | 1 | 33.87 | -82.49 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 56 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Elbert County.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
9.5 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 34°10'N / 82°56'W | 7.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 20 | 250K | 0 | Elbert |
12.8 | 2008-03-15 | 2 | 34°00'N / 82°43'W | 34°01'N / 82°36'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Elbert |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found a tornado damage track in far southern and southeast Elbert County. The tornado, which was spawned from a supercell, touched down southeast of Fortsonia near the intersection of River Rd and Flatwoods Rd. As the tornado tracked east along River Rd, damage was mainly confined to trees and power lines. The tornado began to take on a more east/southeast track near the intersection of River Rd and Balchin Rd, remaining just north of the Wilkes County line. Intensification occurred just west of highway 79 near its intersection with Cooter Creek Rd. The tornado continued to track east southeast, snapping or uprooting numerous trees between Cooter Creek Rd and the Broad River. Two homes received heavy roof damage consistent with EF2 intensity on Bramblett Circle along the Broad River. A boat dock was also lifted and tossed 25 feet in this area. The tornado continued to blow down trees before finally lifting in Bobby Brown State Park in the extreme southeast corner of the county. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several supercell thunderstorms affected the mountains and foothills of extreme northeast Georgia during the afternoon and early evening hours. Very large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes accompanied the storms. | |||||||||||
14.4 | 2003-05-06 | 2 | 34°13'N / 83°06'W | 34°12'N / 83°02'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 12 | 200K | 0 | Elbert |
Brief Description: This tornado moved from Madison County into northwest Elbert County and intensified, destroying or severely damaging several houses and mobile homes. A parked car was also flipped before the tornado lifted. | |||||||||||
14.9 | 1970-04-02 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°56'W | 34°21'N / 82°52'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Hart |
17.6 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°07'N / 83°14'W | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 9.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
20.6 | 1970-04-09 | 2 | 34°18'N / 83°08'W | 34°19'N / 83°06'W | 2.30 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Franklin |
21.1 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 2.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.1M | 0 | Franklin |
Brief Description: This tornado moved north across the town of Franklin Springs, damaging or destroying numerous structures along its 3-mile path. The city government building and the fire and police stations incurred significant damage, as did approximately 25 residences. Several large chicken houses were also destroyed. | |||||||||||
21.5 | 1974-04-08 | 3 | 34°25'N / 82°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Anderson | |
22.4 | 1966-02-13 | 2 | 33°53'N / 83°10'W | 33°59'N / 83°10'W | 6.90 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Oglethorpe |
24.1 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°05'N / 82°34'W | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 19.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 7 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | Abbeville |
24.6 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°59'N / 83°16'W | 34°01'N / 83°14'W | 3.30 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250.0M | 0 | Oglethorpe |
25.1 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 82°28'W | 34°10'N / 82°21'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 0K | Abbeville |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found an extensive area of damage in the city of Abbeville consistent with a strong EF2 tornado. The tornado began near the intersection of highway 71 and Rock Hill Rd before moving east/southeast through the city of Abbeville. The main areas affected in the city were Church Street, McGowan, Ave, Main St, and especially Secession Ave. The roofs were blown off about a half dozen frame homes in the city, while numerous mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. A few other office buildings and businesses received major roof damage in this area. Numerous trees were snapped off or uprooted along the path. One tree fell through a home, injuring the man inside. Another man caught outside received head injuries from flying debris. The tornado lifted about a mile east/southeast of the city. The tornado was produced by a supercell embedded in a line of rapidly moving storms. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into the western upstate in the early evening hours. As the evening progressed, the supercells tended to evolve into a series of bow echoes. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells and the resultant bow echoes. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage in places as well. The most significant damage occurred in Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, though tornadoes also caused damage in parts of Anderson and Union Counties as well. | |||||||||||
27.7 | 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 | |||||||||||
27.7 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°29'N / 82°39'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Anderson | |
27.9 | 1956-04-06 | 2 | 34°08'N / 82°23'W | 34°12'N / 82°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
28.4 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°31'W | 34°24'N / 82°21'W | 11.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
28.9 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°23'N / 82°45'W | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 22.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Anderson |
29.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
31.6 | 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 |
32.1 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°55'N / 83°28'W | 33°59'N / 83°16'W | 12.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 50 | 250.0M | 0 | Clarke |
32.3 | 1998-05-07 | 2 | 33°46'N / 82°28'W | 33°46'N / 82°28'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 8 | 300K | 0 | Lincoln |
Brief Description: An F2 tornado hit the Pine Woods subdivision destryoing 12 homes and causing major damage to 15 homes and minor damage to 8 homes. | |||||||||||
32.9 | 2009-02-18 | 3 | 33°40'N / 82°52'W | 33°38'N / 82°34'W | 17.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Wilkes |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast office in Columbia, South Carolina, confirmed that an EF3 tornado had tracked across far southern Wilkes county causing considerable damage along its path. The tornado continued its east-southeastward track into extreme northeastern McDuffie county. The total tornado path length was 18.6 miles. The tornado initially touched down in the Tyrone community in southwest Washington county. Here a cinder block home was completely destroyed with the cinder block debris blown downstream nearly 1/2 mile. Fifteen other homes along the path of the tornado sustained moderate to major damage from the tornado. Nineteen outbuildings and a commercial chicken house was destroyed. In addition, a steeple was blown off a church and a 2-ton truck was moved 60 feet. The maximum path width was approximately 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 160 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong cold front accompanied and deep negatively tilted upper trough through the eastern U.S. from the 18th into the 19th. An unseasonably warm and unstable air mass developed in advance of the cold front during the late afternoon and early evening across north and central Georgia as warm, moist air rode northward into Georgia on a strong low-level jet. Afternoon temperatures in the 70s and dewpoints in the 60s, combined with strong shear and moderate instability, resulted in the development of numerous supercell thunderstorms from mid-afternoon until a few hours after midnight on the 19th. Ten tornadoes, ranging in scale from EF0 to EF3 tracked across several north and central Georgia counties. The worst tornadoes affected the east central Georgia counties of Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, and Jasper. A death was observed in Hancock county with an EF3 tornado and several injuries were reported from Putnam and Hancock counties. In addition to the tornadoes, very large hail occurred with several of the thunderstorms, including four-inch diameter hail in Coweta and Fayette counties just south of Atlanta. Numerous reports of golf ball and larger-sized hail were received. The event resulted in millions of dollars of damage and the destruction of several homes in north and central Georgia counties. | |||||||||||
33.0 | 1976-05-28 | 2 | 33°57'N / 83°23'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Clarke | |
33.9 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 34°37'N / 82°48'W | 34°35'N / 82°42'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3.0M | 0 | Anderson |
34.3 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 34°16'N / 82°15'W | 2.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
34.8 | 1973-05-28 | 3 | 33°56'N / 83°30'W | 33°58'N / 83°20'W | 9.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 65 | 25.0M | 0 | Clarke |
36.4 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 33°41'N / 82°29'W | 33°49'N / 82°17'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln |
37.0 | 2008-08-26 | 2 | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pickens |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damage path extended from northwest Anderson County, into extreme southern Pickens County, affecting the research area on the south side of the Clemson University campus. Damage was limited to downed trees and power lines. Numerous large trees were snapped off on a ridge very close to the Pickens, Anderson County line, where wind speeds were estimated at close to 120 mph, earning the tornado an EF2 rating. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay stalled just west of the Appalachians and slowly dissipated. A line of mini-supercells developed southeast of the low, resulting in several tornadoes over the Upstate and Northwest Piedmont of South Carolina during the afternoon hours of the 26th. A small amount of flash flooding also occurred, though the flooding was much worse in North Carolina. | |||||||||||
39.6 | 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 |
39.6 | 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 |
40.1 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°34'N / 83°17'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stephens | |||
40.9 | 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 |
40.9 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 33°49'N / 82°17'W | 33°52'N / 82°08'W | 8.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mccormick |
41.1 | 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 |
41.4 | 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 |
41.5 | 1998-05-07 | 2 | 33°43'N / 82°18'W | 33°43'N / 82°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 350K | 0 | Lincoln |
Brief Description: An F2 tornado destroyed 7 homes and did major and minor damage to about a dozen others at Indian Cove. | |||||||||||
41.8 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°53'N / 83°35'W | 33°55'N / 83°28'W | 7.20 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250.0M | 0 | Oconee |
41.8 | 1966-05-01 | 2 | 34°12'N / 83°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
42.0 | 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 |
42.0 | 1989-11-15 | 2 | 34°13'N / 82°07'W | 0.70 Mile | 267 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Greenwood | |
42.8 | 1966-12-10 | 2 | 34°35'N / 83°20'W | 0.50 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Stephens | |
43.2 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°16'N / 82°10'W | 34°16'N / 82°03'W | 6.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
43.7 | 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 |
44.1 | 1973-05-28 | 3 | 33°52'N / 83°38'W | 33°56'N / 83°30'W | 8.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Walton |
44.5 | 1965-03-23 | 2 | 33°28'N / 83°02'W | 33°30'N / 82°57'W | 5.20 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Greene |
44.5 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 34°43'N / 82°22'W | 10.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
46.3 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°08'N / 82°10'W | 34°10'N / 81°54'W | 15.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 26 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
46.3 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°28'N / 83°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Habersham | |
47.1 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°07'N / 83°40'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
47.4 | 1973-12-13 | 4 | 34°11'N / 82°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 2 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood | |
48.1 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°45'N / 82°32'W | 34°46'N / 82°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Anderson |
48.4 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°16'N / 82°03'W | 34°17'N / 81°59'W | 4.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Laurens |
48.4 | 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 |
49.1 | 1992-11-22 | 4 | 33°25'N / 83°12'W | 33°28'N / 83°02'W | 12.00 Miles | 867 Yards | 1 | 31 | 2.5M | 0 | Greene |
49.4 | 2007-03-01 | 2 | 33°25'N / 82°33'W | 33°30'N / 82°27'W | 9.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Mcduffie |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 started in Warren county and moved through McDuffie county taking down numerous trees and powerlines. The twister moved along hwy 278 to Thomson then along hwy 150 to I-20. Several vehicles were totaled and many homes and a private school had moderate damage. Ground survey found a damage path of 9 miles in McDuffie county but an areal survey found the total length to be 15 miles. There were no injuries or deaths. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercells moved across the southern states and into GA producing tornadoes across the region. | |||||||||||
49.6 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 33°52'N / 82°08'W | 33°58'N / 81°53'W | 15.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Edgefield |
* 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.