Chatham County, Georgia tornadoes

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32confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 4, 2019, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Chatham County

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The record

At a glance

Total321950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 32
StrongestF2Sep 13, 1961
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries27whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Chatham County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 7May: 9Jun: 2Jul: 6Aug: 1Sep: 5Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 32 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 4: 1: 212 PM: 4: 3: 33 PM: 5: 1: 36 PM: 0: 2: 19 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 11970: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 11980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 4: 2: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
17
EF2
5
Unknown
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F2, September 13, 1961

0.2 mile path Longest path

10.7 miles, F1

April 9, 1979, whole path Widest

440 yards, EF1

January 4, 2015
Every tornado

All 32 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 4, 2019EF12.2 mi170 yd01
Jul 27, 2018EF12.35 mi100 yd00
May 23, 2017EF27.49 mi300 yd00
May 4, 2017EF12.78 mi120 yd05
Sep 2, 2016EF11.38 mi350 yd00
Jul 22, 2016EF00.09 mi20 yd00
Jul 4, 2016EFU0.03 mi20 yd00
May 17, 2016EF10.76 mi100 yd00
Jan 4, 2015EF13 mi440 yd00
Jun 19, 2008EF10.75 mi100 yd00
Jun 13, 2006F10.5 mi175 yd00
May 20, 2005F00.8 mi40 yd00
Sep 6, 2004F16 mi300 yd00
May 8, 1998F05 mi40 yd00
May 23, 1980F21 mi100 yd02
Apr 8, 1980F14.2 mi30 yd00
Apr 9, 1979F110.7 mi50 yd010
Aug 1, 1978F10.5 mi50 yd01
Sep 23, 1975F12.5 mi60 yd08
Nov 9, 1973F21 mi200 yd00
May 29, 1973F10.1 mi100 yd00
May 25, 1970F22.5 mi33 yd00
Sep 2, 1969F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 20, 1968F00.4 mi27 yd00
Jul 30, 1966F00.5 mi33 yd00
Cities

Cities in Chatham County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.