Jesup
Population 10,301 (2025)
60 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Jesup since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was an unnamed storm in 1893 (Category 3).
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 195044
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger100
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198410
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Wayne County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Wayne County.
Strongest tornado
F2
April 9, 1998, 24.5 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 3
Hurricane (unnamed), 1893, 47.4 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 1.7 years since 1950, none rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 9, 1998
F2, 24.5 mile path
400 yards wide; 4 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Sunday, January 22, 2023
EF1, 7.5 mile path
3 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Jan 22, 2023 | EF1 | 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 4, 2023 | EF1 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2021 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF1 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF1 | 4.8 | 8 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2019 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 24, 2018 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 3, 2016 | EF0 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2014 | EF1 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 2009 | EF1 | 1.6 | 1 | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | EF2 | 5.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2009 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2009 | EF1 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2006 | F0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2003 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 20, 2003 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2002 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2002 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2002 | F0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 1999 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1998 | F2 | 24.5 | 31 | 4 |
| Mar 8, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | F0 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | F1 | 10.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | F1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 11, 1990 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1980 | F1 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1980 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1976 | F2 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 0.6 | 2 | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 9.4 | 7 | 2 |
| Jan 15, 1971 | F2 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 |
| Jan 15, 1971 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1968 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1966 | F0 | 26.2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 13, 1963 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1955 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
60 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 8 at hurricane strength, 1 as major hurricanes.
Strongest within 50 miles
August 28, 1893
Unnamed storm, Category 3
47.4 miles at closest approach, winds near 115 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Category 1
80.3 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Helene | 2024 | 80.3 | Category 1 |
| Debby | 2024 | 16.1 | Tropical storm |
| Idalia | 2023 | 21.2 | Tropical storm |
| Elsa | 2021 | 37.8 | Tropical storm |
| Eta | 2020 | 59.5 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 70.9 | Post-tropical |
| Matthew | 2016 | 76.3 | Category 2 |
| Julia | 2016 | 31.0 | Tropical storm |
| Hermine | 2016 | 22.0 | Tropical storm |
| Colin | 2016 | 40.4 | Tropical storm |
| Andrea | 2013 | 24.4 | Tropical storm |
| Barry | 2007 | 32.1 | Post-tropical |
| Tammy | 2005 | 48.9 | Tropical storm |
| Kyle | 2002 | 69.4 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 62.4 | Tropical storm |
| Josephine | 1996 | 15.0 | Post-tropical |
| Chris | 1988 | 60.6 | Tropical storm |
| Kate | 1985 | 42.6 | Tropical storm |
| Bob | 1985 | 82.1 | Category 1 |
| Isidore | 1984 | 66.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1982 | 82.7 | Subtropical storm |
| Dennis | 1981 | 76.6 | Tropical storm |
| David | 1979 | 41.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 50.7 | Subtropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 34.6 | Subtropical storm |
| Alpha | 1972 | 59.0 | Subtropical storm |
| Abby | 1968 | 1.7 | Tropical storm |
| Alma | 1966 | 9.5 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 41.1 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 42.2 | Tropical storm |
| Cleo | 1964 | 32.9 | Tropical storm |
| Brenda | 1960 | 8.6 | Tropical storm |
| Gracie | 1959 | 98.3 | Category 4 |
| Unnamed | 1957 | 6.9 | Tropical storm |
| Flossy | 1956 | 57.5 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1954 | 54.5 | Tropical storm |
| Florence | 1953 | 23.4 | Post-tropical |
| Able | 1952 | 86.6 | Category 2 |
| King | 1950 | 94.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1949 | 59.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 12.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 49.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 14.8 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1946 | 3.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 49.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 35.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1941 | 61.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1940 | 48.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 44.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1933 | 36.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 43.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 54.9 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 56.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 82.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 20.5 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 5.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1919 | 19.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 9.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 46.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 20.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1914 | 51.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 20.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1911 | 52.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1910 | 40.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 14.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 14.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 68.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 45.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 83.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1900 | 67.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 25.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 61.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 19.6 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 39.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 63.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 82.8 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 47.4 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 12.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 85.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 76.3 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 8.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 43.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 90.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 21.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 46.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 26.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 71.7 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1884 | 31.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 35.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 21.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 45.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 27.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 78.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 65.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 31.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1874 | 51.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 6.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 35.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 18.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 77.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 23.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1868 | 27.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 92.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 18.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 76.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1854 | 44.3 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1853 | 75.4 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 46.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1851 | 87.9 | Tropical storm |
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
10 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
March 24, 2011
Elim Church Rd. Fire, 3,845 acres
12.2 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
June 14, 2011
Rayonier Pasture Fire
728 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Rayonier Pasture | 2011 | 14.6 | 728 |
| Elim Church Rd. Fire | 2011 | 12.2 | 3,845 |
| Unnamed | 2008 | 24.3 | 966 |
| Browntown | 2008 | 24.8 | 677 |
| Penholloway Swamp Fire | 2007 | 14.1 | 710 |
| Kneeknocker Swamp Fire | 2007 | 24.3 | 2,091 |
| Dreggers Fire | 2007 | 15.7 | 1,915 |
| Unnamed | 1999 | 14.8 | 1,588 |
| Unnamed | 1999 | 15.2 | 598 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 12.3 | 1,009 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 25 days
Heavy smoke on 6 days in 2011, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
6.7 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
7 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 19 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
7 federal flood insurance claims since 2003, with $56,000 paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Wayne County, the county that contains Jesup.
Flood events since 1996
- Heavy Rain18
- Flood7
- Flash Flood4
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Wayne County, the county that contains Jesup.
Most severe crest
April 6, 1948
Little Satilla River near Offerman, 16.40 ft
7.40 feet above the 9.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
June 20, 2026
Little Satilla River near Offerman, 12.20 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Altamaha River at Doctortown | 12.0 | 18.60 ft | 4 |
| Little Satilla River near Offerman | 9.0 | 16.40 ft | 5 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 123 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 16 months.
The drought index is for Wayne County, the county that contains Jesup.
123
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
26
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
7
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
April 1932
−6.06, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
16 months
May 2000 to August 2001.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.70, moderate drought
Last severe month: April 2026.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the city centre in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Severe weather and other events
353 events in the National Weather Service record for Wayne County, 325 of them since 1996.
34
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
131
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
3
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
0
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
March 22, 2005
2.50 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
July 23, 1996
69 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 6 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Apr 25, 2026Wildfire, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On April 25th, the fire grew to 9,578 acres per overnight infrared flight mapping. Evacuation areas were expanded to the Brantley���Wayne County line due to the fire movement to the north and northeast, while evacuations and road closures on the southern portion of…
- May 1, 2026Wildfire, Wayne$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. On May 2nd, all voluntary evacuations were rescinded but mandatory evacuations along Mobile Road remained in place. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped…
- Dec 17, 2012Thunderstorm Wind$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
Trees were blown down an damage was done to agricultural equipment. The cost of property loss was reported at $200,000.
- Aug 19, 2013Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Around 9:47 pm EDT, Wayne County Dispatch reported that a portion of Odum Screven Road was flooded near Route 203. By 10:22 pm EDT, Dispatch reported that many roads in Jesup were flooded, and a few structures had water flowing into them. By 10:45 pm, the county emergency manager relayed that there was widespread flash flooding occurring in Jesup. Numerous roads were flooded including Main Road 84. There were 4 vehicles completely covered in water, and water was entering homes, motels and fire stations in Jesup. Around 12 am on 8/20, the emergency manager relayed that 20 to 30 homes in downtown Jesup were flooded with about 1 ft of standing water. There was about 4 inches of…
- Mar 12, 2026Thunderstorm Wind$70,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous mobile homes suffered major damage to roofs and siding in the Odum area. Many roofs were peeled off completely destroying the roof. A shipping container was also flipped onto its side. Time was estimated from radar.
- Mar 30, 2000Tornado$60,000
National Weather Service narrative
A weak F0 tornado with some areas of straight line winds. Damaged 10 homes and destroyed three sheds.
- Oct 25, 1997Lightning$30,000
- Feb 21, 2014Thunderstorm Wind$20,000
National Weather Service narrative
Two large trees were blown down onto a building which caused damage near U.S. Highway 84 about 1 mile south of the Altamaha River.
- Aug 23, 2000Lightning$15,000
- Jun 13, 2001Thunderstorm Wind$12,000
National Weather Service narrative
Large trees and power lines were blown down on Gail Road. Roof blown off mobile home.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Alma Bacon County Airport, 36.2 miles from the city centre, with records from 1938.
- All-time high
- 105°F2 times, most recently Jun 23, 2022
- All-time low
- −1°FJan 21, 1985
- Warmest night
- 80°F2 times, most recently Jun 18, 1996
- Coldest day
- 25°F2 times, most recently Jan 21, 1985
- Wettest day
- 7.66 inApr 24, 2021
- Snowiest day
- 4.4 inFeb 10, 1973
- Hottest year
- 1990mean 70.1°F
- Coldest year
- 1940mean 64.1°F
- Wettest year
- 194764.56 in
- Driest year
- 195426.08 in
- Snowiest season
- 5.0 in2024-25
78 of 83 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Alma Bacon County Airport (USW00013870), 191 ft elevation, 36.2 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1938 to October 27, 2026; 100.0% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
19 since 1953. The most recent: Hurricane Helene, September 30, 2024.
Declarations for Wayne County.
| Sep 30, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4830-GA |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3616-GA |
| Sep 24, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4821-GA |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3607-GA |
| Sep 7, 2023 | Hurricane | DR-4738-GA |
| Mar 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4501-GA |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3464-GA |
| Sep 1, 2019 | Hurricane | EM-3422-GA |
| Oct 10, 2018 | Hurricane | EM-3406-GA |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Hurricane | DR-4338-GA |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3387-GA |
| Oct 8, 2016 | Hurricane | DR-4284-GA |
| Oct 6, 2016 | Hurricane | EM-3379-GA |
| Apr 23, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1833-GA |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3218-GA |
| Sep 24, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1560-GA |
| Mar 11, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1209-GA |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | EM-3097-GA |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | EM-3044-GA |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USW00013870.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.