Worth County
Population 20,059 (2025) 571 sq mi
49 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Worth County since 1851, 8 of them at hurricane strength; the strongest was Helene in 2024 (Category 1).
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 195038
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger81
At a glance
The record for Worth County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Strongest tornado
EF3
January 22, 2017, 70.4 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 1
Hurricane Helene, 2024, 21.0 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 2 years since 1950, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
January 22, 2017
EF3, 70.4 mile path
2,200 yards wide; 5 killed along the whole path.
Deadliest
March 20, 2003
6 killed, F3
200 injured along the whole path.
Most recent
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
EFU, 10.6 mile path
4 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 6, 2022 | EFU | 10.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2020 | EF2 | 8.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF1 | 3.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2018 | EF1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2017 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2017 | EF3 | 70.4 | 88 | 5 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF1 | 8.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2009 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2007 | EF0 | 3.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF1 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF2 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF2 | 4.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF2 | 30.5 | 3 | 6 |
| Dec 28, 2005 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 28, 2005 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 5, 2005 | F1 | 1.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 20, 2003 | F3 | 25.0 | 200 | 6 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | F1 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1996 | F2 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1992 | F1 | 11.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 30, 1991 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 21, 1990 | F1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1984 | F1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | F1 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 8, 1978 | F1 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 12, 1975 | F2 | 168.5 | 33 | 1 |
| Aug 1, 1974 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | F1 | 92.6 | 7 | 1 |
| Feb 8, 1973 | F2 | 2.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1968 | F3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 1966 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 1966 | F2 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1964 | F2 | 21.2 | 3 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1961 | F2 | 34.4 | 1 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1952 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Worth County: 2.
- 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
49 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 8 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
September 27, 2024
Helene, Category 1
21.0 miles at closest approach, winds near 92 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Category 1
21.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Helene | 2024 | 21.0 | Category 1 |
| Debby | 2024 | 75.1 | Tropical storm |
| Idalia | 2023 | 53.6 | Category 1 |
| Elsa | 2021 | 45.5 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 0.0 | Post-tropical |
| Michael | 2018 | 9.1 | Category 1 |
| Irma | 2017 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Hermine | 2016 | 31.0 | Tropical storm |
| Colin | 2016 | 88.6 | Tropical storm |
| Andrea | 2013 | 95.4 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 2006 | 44.5 | Tropical storm |
| Jeanne | 2004 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Frances | 2004 | 42.4 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Josephine | 1996 | 69.1 | Tropical storm |
| Allison | 1995 | 21.3 | Tropical storm |
| Kate | 1985 | 2.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 75.1 | Subtropical storm |
| Alpha | 1972 | 69.3 | Subtropical storm |
| Alma | 1966 | 37.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 34.5 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 31.3 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Brenda | 1960 | 78.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1957 | 42.3 | Tropical storm |
| Flossy | 1956 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Florence | 1953 | 0.0 | Post-tropical |
| King | 1950 | 4.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1949 | 44.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1946 | 97.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1941 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1940 | 56.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 81.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 42.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1933 | 35.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 78.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 0.0 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 77.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 44.9 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 48.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1917 | 6.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 74.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 80.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1914 | 10.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 1.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 12.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 37.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 97.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 35.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 10.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 24.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 93.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 31.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 57.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 98.5 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 41.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 5.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 93.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 71.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 51.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 76.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 86.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 17.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 68.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 61.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 39.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 84.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 54.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 10.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 89.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 45.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 23.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 46.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 48.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1868 | 51.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1859 | 99.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 1.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 21.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 75.7 | 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
No large wildfire has been mapped here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 34 days
Heavy smoke on 4 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
8.8 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
8 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 23 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
35 federal flood insurance claims since 1982, with $481,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
2009: 15 claims
$194,000 paid.
2nd most
2013: 5 claims
$63,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 31791 | 17 | $199,000 |
| 31772 | 8 | $241,000 |
| 31705 | 7 | $40,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood35
- Flash Flood22
- Heavy Rain2
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
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for 1 gauge here but lists no crests for it.
River gauges
| Flint River (GA) at Lake Blackshear | 239.0 | — | 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 120 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 21 months.
120
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
39
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
41
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
October 1954
−5.53, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
21 months
May 2011 to January 2013.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.56, 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 county in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Severe weather and other events
503 events in the National Weather Service record, 437 of them since 1996.
33
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
232
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
6
Winter weather events since 1996
3
Heat events since 1996
3
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
May 25, 1980
3.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
February 21, 2014
85 mph
More event types since 1996
| Dense fog and smoke | 1 | 2 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Mar 6, 1996Tornado$6.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado began near Oak Glenn and moved east across Worth County to Shingler. Several mobile homes were destroyed along with several tractor trailers. At least four large grain bins were demolished along with other farm buildings and equipment. Damage to timber was also significant.
- Sep 26, 2024Tropical Storm, Worth$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
There were numerous trees and power lines blown down with numerous power outages.
- Oct 10, 2018Hurricane (Typhoon), Worth$5.0 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…
- Jan 22, 2017Tornado$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
The EF3 tornado from Dougherty county continued all the way across Worth county into Turner county as an EF3 tornado with max winds estimated near 150 mph. In Worth County, it caused extensive damage to homes along Jewel Crowe Road. This was consistent with EF3 damage. Damage to homes and outbuildings consistent with EF2 damage was observed along Camp Osborn Road. A concrete block church on Zion Church Road was completely destroyed, justifying an EF3 rating at that point. Damage cost was estimated.
- Sep 10, 2017Tropical Storm, Worth$2.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Irma brought numerous impacts to the Florida Big Bend, southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama including widespread downed trees and power lines, roads blocked by trees, power outages, and trees on homes. Two people died during the event - one due to a car crash (Liberty County, FL) and another that had a heart attack (Worth County, GA). Two indirect deaths occurred due to carbon monoxide from a generator (Taylor County, FL). While many counties across the Florida Big Bend and southwest Georgia were impacted, the greatest impacts were across the eastern portion of the area near the I-75 corridor. There were over 6.5 million customers without power in Florida, over…
- Jul 11, 2005Flood, Worth$1.8 million
National Weather Service narrative
Torrential rainfall from Hurricane Dennis ranged from 8 to 11 inches. In Sylvester, 78 families were displaced by the flooding. Many county roads were under water. A total of 300 homes were evacuated and 80 damaged by the flood waters. Reported by the Worth County EMA.
- Jul 9, 2005Hurricane (Typhoon), Worth$1.8 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Dennis came ashore along the central Gulf coast on July 10. The lowest sea-level pressure and peak wind gust recorded were 1007.5 mb and 42 mph, respectively, at Albany, GA. Heavy rainfall commenced July 10, and persisted into the early morning hours of July 11. A nearly stationary feeder band from the eastern Florida Panhandle into southwest Georgia produced four to eight inches, with isolated amounts up to a foot. In Colquitt County, flash flooding along the Okapilco Creek in Moultrie damaged many homes, washed out roads, and forced the evacuation of 100 homes. Heavy rains in the upper Flint River basin generated high flows which reached as far south as Bainbridge, GA.…
- Feb 23, 2013Flood$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Persistent moderate to heavy rainfall over a long duration led to significant flooding across the county. Several dozen roads were closed across the county, and water affected several homes on Willow Road in the western part of the county near Ponds. The water was about 1.5 feet up the skirting of the house porches. Monetary damage was estimated.
- Dec 5, 2005Tornado$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down just southwest of downtown Sylvester, and moved east along Kelly Street where most of the damage occurred. Nineteen businesses, two houses, three county buildings, and two non-profit organizations were damaged. Two people were slightly injured by flying glass. A half dozen power poles were snapped at the intersection of Livingston and West Streets. Numerous trees were toppled. Several vehicles were damaged. Damage survey was provided by the NWS Tallahassee WCM, with additional reports by the Worth County EMA.
- Mar 20, 2003Tornado$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
The F2 tornado traveled northeast from northeast Mitchell County into southwest Worth County. It damaged a few dozen homes and destroyed several others. Two persons were killed when their mobile home was destroyed. Numerous trees and power lines were down. A state of emergency was declared for Worth County. Reported by the Worth County EMA and CAP/NWS aerial survey team.
- 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 Albany Sw Georgia Regional Airport, 19.8 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1948.
- All-time high
- 106°FAug 7, 2007
- All-time low
- 12°FJan 22, 2025
- Warmest night
- 80°F2 times, most recently Aug 9, 2007
- Coldest day
- 30°F2 times, most recently Jan 7, 2014
- Wettest day
- 5.29 inMar 28, 2009
- Snowiest day
- 0.9 inJan 18, 2026
- Hottest year
- 2019mean 70.1°F
- Coldest year
- 2014mean 65.8°F
- Wettest year
- 194866.72 in
- Driest year
- 201126.79 in
Station Albany Sw Georgia Regional Airport (USW00013869), 191 ft elevation, 19.8 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1948 to October 26, 2026; 85.5% 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
20 since 1953. The most recent: Hurricane Isaias, October 9, 2026.
| Oct 9, 2026 | Tropical Storm | EM-3657-GA |
| Sep 30, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4830-GA |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3616-GA |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3607-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 |
| Jan 26, 2017 | Tornado | DR-4297-GA |
| Jan 25, 2017 | Severe Storm | DR-4294-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 24, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1560-GA |
| Mar 11, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1209-GA |
| Oct 19, 1994 | Severe Storm | DR-1042-GA |
| Jul 7, 1994 | Tornado | DR-1033-GA |
| Apr 5, 1974 | Tornado | DR-425-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 Worth County stands among 159 counties in Georgia and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 38 | 3 / 159 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 3 | 11 / 159 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 49 | 36 / 159 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 8 | 27 / 159 |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 35 | 64 / 159 |
| Flood insurance paid | $481,000 | 62 / 159 |
| Disaster declarations | 20 | 31 / 159 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 59 | 10 / 159 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 292 | 26 / 159 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 6 | 115 / 159 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $35.7 million | 35 / 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 | 120 | 94 / 159 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 8.8 | 113 / 159 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Colquitt County | 42 | 51 |
| Crisp County | 15 | 37 |
| Dougherty County | 19 | 34 |
| Lee County | 16 | 31 |
| Mitchell County | 29 | 51 |
| Tift County | 26 | 47 |
| Turner County | 11 | 40 |
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 USW00013869.
- 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.