Miller County
Population 5,812 (2025) 282 sq mi
40 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Miller County since 1851, 9 of them at hurricane strength; the strongest was Michael in 2018 (Category 2).
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths since 195014
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger78
- Wildfire burn scars since 19841
At a glance
The record for Miller County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Acres burned since 1984
857
47th of 159 in Georgia
1 large fire; the largest was Unnamed, 2002
DetailsStrongest tornado
F3
March 22, 2005, 18.0 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 2
Hurricane Michael, 2018, 6.9 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 5.4 years since 1950, one of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
March 22, 2005
F3, 18.0 mile path
1,250 yards wide; 1 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
EF1, 6.6 mile path
7 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Dec 17, 2019 | EF1 | 6.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2019 | EF1 | 4.1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF1 | 9.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2015 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2012 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2008 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | F3 | 18.0 | 18 | 1 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2001 | F1 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | F1 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1997 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1982 | F2 | 8.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Oct 28, 1955 | F0 | 0.1 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec 5, 1954 | F2 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Miller County: 1.
- 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
40 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 9 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
October 10, 2018
Michael, Category 2
6.9 miles at closest approach, winds near 102 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Category 2
64.7 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Helene | 2024 | 64.7 | Category 2 |
| Idalia | 2023 | 90.9 | Category 2 |
| Mindy | 2021 | 55.3 | Tropical storm |
| Fred | 2021 | 28.8 | Tropical storm |
| Elsa | 2021 | 84.8 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 9.0 | Post-tropical |
| Michael | 2018 | 6.9 | Category 2 |
| Irma | 2017 | 33.5 | Tropical storm |
| Hermine | 2016 | 55.1 | Tropical storm |
| Claudette | 2009 | 99.2 | Tropical storm |
| Fay | 2008 | 67.6 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 2006 | 80.8 | Tropical storm |
| Jeanne | 2004 | 38.1 | Tropical storm |
| Frances | 2004 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Barry | 2001 | 93.5 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 12.5 | Tropical storm |
| Josephine | 1996 | 84.5 | Tropical storm |
| Allison | 1995 | 51.2 | Tropical storm |
| Kate | 1985 | 21.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 91.0 | Subtropical storm |
| Eloise | 1975 | 69.9 | Category 2 |
| Agnes | 1972 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Alma | 1966 | 56.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 30.6 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 21.1 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1957 | 64.5 | Tropical storm |
| Flossy | 1956 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Florence | 1953 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| King | 1950 | 26.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1949 | 96.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1941 | 16.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1939 | 92.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 42.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 85.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1933 | 72.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 83.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 15.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 20.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 6.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 41.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 73.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 60.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1917 | 23.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 24.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1914 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 19.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 34.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 42.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1903 | 57.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 92.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 77.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 12.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 32.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 37.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 89.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 68.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 32.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 16.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 95.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 48.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 60.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 39.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 40.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 57.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 40.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 40.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 52.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 81.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 50.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 20.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 18.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 65.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 80.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1868 | 55.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 14.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 0.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 55.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 96.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1851 | 0.0 | Category 1 |
- 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
857 acres burned in 1 large fire since 1984, equal to 0.5% of the land.
Largest
March 5, 2002
Unnamed Fire, 859 acres
857 acres inside Miller County.
Most recent
March 5, 2002
Unnamed Fire
859 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Unnamed | 2002 | 857 | 859 |
- 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: 38 days
Heavy smoke on 4 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
9.5 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
5 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 20 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
16 federal flood insurance claims since 1993, with $334,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
2009: 5 claims
$125,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 39837 | 10 | $172,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood11
- Flood2
- Heavy Rain1
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
Most severe crest
February 26, 2013
Spring Creek above Colquitt, 12.28 ft
2.28 feet above the 10.0 ft flood stage; moderate flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
February 14, 2024
Spring Creek above Colquitt, 12.21 ft
Moderate flooding.
| Feb 26, 2013 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 12.28 | +2.28 |
| Feb 14, 2024 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 12.21 | +2.21 |
| Feb 9, 2020 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 12.09 | +2.09 |
| Dec 4, 2018 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 12.05 | +2.05 |
| Mar 11, 2024 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 11.73 | +1.73 |
| May 2, 2014 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 11.19 | +1.19 |
| Feb 14, 2013 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 11.05 | +1.05 |
| Apr 3, 2016 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 11.00 | +1.00 |
| Feb 25, 2016 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.49 | +0.49 |
| Feb 5, 2016 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.44 | +0.44 |
| Dec 25, 2015 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.34 | +0.34 |
| Jan 26, 2015 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.21 | +0.21 |
| Apr 9, 2014 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.01 | +0.01 |
| Mar 8, 2020 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 9.89 | −0.11 |
| Jan 24, 2017 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 9.87 | −0.13 |
| Jan 5, 2017 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 9.77 | −0.23 |
| Jul 26, 2013 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 9.68 | −0.32 |
| Aug 18, 2013 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 9.50 | −0.50 |
| Dec 6, 2016 | Spring Creek above Colquitt | 8.28 | −1.72 |
River gauges
| Spring Creek above Colquitt | 10.0 | 12.28 ft | 0 |
- 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 129 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 15 months.
129
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
26
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
46
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
March 1955
−5.12, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
15 months
May 2011 to July 2012.
Latest month
September 2026
−3.28, severe drought
- 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 county in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Severe weather and other events
226 events in the National Weather Service record, 203 of them since 1996.
10
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
75
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
4
Winter weather events since 1996
4
Heat events since 1996
3
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
May 10, 2024
2.50 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
April 24, 2021
75 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Oct 10, 2018Hurricane (Typhoon), Miller$250 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification period over the eastern Gulf, Michael made landfall as an unprecedented (for the region) high-end category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on wind, Michael is the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind the Labor Day…
- Mar 22, 2005Tornado$5.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado, which crossed from Seminole County into Miller County, quickly intensified as it paralleled Highway 91. It damaged nearly 100 homes and destroyed 25 others along its path. It struck a 120+ acre farm on Nobles Road, destroying several storage buildings, welding shop, farrowing house and implement shed, and heavily damaging the family residence. Several irrigation pivots were damaged or destroyed. Many trees and power lines were down. Ten people were injured, two of those critically. The tornado weakened as it approached County Road 45. It continued its northeastward trek across County Road 310 and U.S. Highway 27, then dissipated about three miles southeast of…
- Aug 22, 2008Tropical Storm, Miller$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
Rainfall from Fay varied between eight and 17 inches. There were numerous downed trees and power lines throughout the county. More than 2,000 residents were without power. State Route 91 and eight county roads were closed due to flooding. One home sustained minor damage. Of the ten public facilities affected by the wind and flooding, eight suffered minor damage and two major damage. A state of emergency was declared by the Governor.
- Sep 29, 1998Tornado$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
A strong F1 tornado destroyed a doublewide trailer off Cooktown Rd about 12 miles east of Colquitt.Two of the three occupants were critically injured. The tornado moved north and struck a neighboring farm and ripped roofs off outbuildings, twisted sheet metal, and destroyed a grain bin and farm equipment.
- Mar 12, 2001Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
An F1 tornado touched down just west of U.S. Highway 27 in southern Miller County and tracked east to North Eldorendo Road before it disspiated. Seven mobile homes were damaged. A roof was torn off a frame house. One frame house collapsed. Several sheds were damaged. One single-wide trailer was destroyed. An irrigation system was damaged. Storm damage surveyed by the NWS Tallahassee WCM.
- Sep 15, 2002Flash Flood$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Up to eight inches of rain flooded several county and state roads. Many homes near Colquitt were evacuated due to rising water. 35 homes and three businesses suffered water damage, as well as the Colquitt Police Department and county courthouse. Reported by the Miller County EMA.
- Sep 14, 2002Tropical Storm, Miller$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna produced torrential rains that caused severe localized flooding, as well as scattered wind damage across portions of southwest Georgia. Decatur, Miller and Seminole counties were each declared a state of emergency due to major flood damage of numerous homes, businesses and roads, as well as power outages from fallen trees. Rainfall totals ranged from four to eight inches over Decatur County to nearly 16 inches in Seminole County. In a 24-hour period ending at 7 am September 15, nearly 16 inches of rain fell in Donalsonville, GA, which flooded numerous homes and businesses. Thunderstorm winds blew a roof off a house and damaged a few mobiles…
- Mar 8, 1998Flood, Miller$325,000
National Weather Service narrative
An intense Gulf storm produced 5 to 12 inches of rain across much of southwest Georgia on March 7-9 which caused widespread flooding. Baker, Ben Hill, Cook, Colquitt, Dougherty, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Terrell, Decatur, Early, Brooks, Colquitt, Clay, Seminole, Calhoun, Thomas, and Worth counties were declared federal disaster areas. In Ben Hill County, floodwaters claimed the life of a Irwinville man whose vehicle overturned. In Baker County, several homes and businesses were flooded in Newton. 100 residents within the Newton city limits were evacuated. Numerous county and secondary roads were closed. Flooding along the Itchuaway-Nochaway Creek forced additional evacuations at…
- Oct 26, 1997Tornado$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
Several F1 tornado touchdowns in southern Miller County. Felled 24" diameter pines damaged a mobile home on Mayhaw Road. One home heavily damaged and nearby boat, camper and chicken house destroyed. Many power lines down countywide.
- Sep 15, 2004Tropical Storm, Miller$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Ivan weakened to a tropical storm as it moved into southwest Alabama on September 16. The maximum sustained wind recorded was 29 knots at Albany, GA. The peak wind gust recorded was 37 knots at Valdosta, GA. The lowest sea-level pressure was 1003 mb at Albany. Rainfall totals varied from 0.75 inches at Tifton and Valdosta, GA to 6.50 inches at Blakely, GA. Minor flooding was reported in Early County. Minor rises were observed on the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee creeks. An estimated 20,000 customers were without power. There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines. Intense outer rain bands from Ivan spawned several tornadoes in southwest Georgia on September…
- 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 Marianna Municipal Airport, 34.6 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1950.
- All-time high
- 105°F4 times, most recently Jun 15, 2011
- All-time low
- 15°FJan 22, 2025
- Warmest night
- 80°F4 times, most recently Jun 21, 2019
- Coldest day
- 28°FFeb 2, 1951
- Wettest day
- 8.07 inSep 16, 2020
- Snowiest day
- 5.0 inJan 21, 2025
- Hottest year
- 2017mean 70.3°F
- Coldest year
- 1958mean 66.2°F
- Wettest year
- 200267.47 in
- Driest year
- 195428.49 in
Station Marianna Municipal Airport (USW00003818), 107 ft elevation, 34.6 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1950 to October 26, 2026; 96.4% 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
15 since 1953. The most recent: Hurricane Isaias, October 9, 2026.
| Oct 9, 2026 | Tropical Storm | EM-3657-GA |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3616-GA |
| Mar 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4501-GA |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3464-GA |
| Oct 14, 2018 | Hurricane | DR-4400-GA |
| Oct 10, 2018 | Hurricane | EM-3406-GA |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Hurricane | DR-4338-GA |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3387-GA |
| Apr 23, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1833-GA |
| Mar 3, 2007 | Severe Storm | DR-1686-GA |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3218-GA |
| Sep 18, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1554-GA |
| Mar 11, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1209-GA |
| Jul 7, 1994 | Tornado | DR-1033-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.
How this compares
Where Miller County stands among 159 counties in Georgia and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 14 | 68 / 159 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 1 | 40 / 159 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 40 | 49 / 159 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 9 | 19 / 159 |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 857 | 47 / 159 |
| Flood insurance claims | 16 | 79 / 159 |
| Flood insurance paid | $334,000 | 75 / 159 |
| Disaster declarations | 15 | 122 / 159 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 14 | 107 / 159 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 107 | 121 / 159 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 4 | 139 / 159 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $261 million | 6 / 159 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 129 | 75 / 159 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 9.5 | 77 / 159 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Baker County | 10 | 38 |
| Decatur County | 29 | 53 |
| Early County | 38 | 41 |
| Seminole County | 8 | 43 |
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 USW00003818.
- 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.