Wilkes County, Georgia
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1954 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
5
Tornado reports
28
Hail reports
10
Floods since 1996
230
All events
0
Deaths
$5.3M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Wilkes County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 5 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Tornado EF3 Tornado
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 e…
A damage assessment conducted by the Wilkes County Emergency Management Director indicated that an F1 tornado, briefly at the high end of the F1 scale, touched down just south of Tignall near Georgia Highway 17 and continued north from six to seven miles along or just west of Geo…
Drought Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Wilkes County remained under D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions through March. Following the initial onset of D2 (Severe Drought) on January 13, the county sustained 12 weeks at or above the D2 threshold through the end of March, with drought c…
Drought Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions in Wilkes County intensified to D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions in February. Following the initial onset of D2 on January 13, the county sustained 7 consecutive weeks at or above the D2 threshold as of the end of February.…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow showers developed through the morning with a tight band of heavier snowfall stretching from north to south. Total snow accumulations across the county ranged from 3 to 6 inches.
Ice Storm Ice Storm
Light rain showers began through the late evening and overnight hours of the 24th. Rain accumulations transitioned over to freezing rain through the early morning of the 25th and continued through the day. The heaviest ice accumulations occurred with the second push of precipitat…
Drought Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, D2 (Severe Drought) conditions were introduced to Wilkes County on January 13. By January 20, the county had degraded to D3 (Extreme Drought), particularly over the northern portion of the county. By the end of the month, the county had reco…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree down near the intersection of branham road and industrial park road.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Generally 1-3 inches of snow occurred across the county. The snow/sleet transitioned to freezing rain before becoming all rain during the early afternoon hours. An additional 1/10 to 2/10 inch of ice accumulation occurred on top of the snow. Many roads, especially those untreated…
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
As of an NWS Damage Survey on October 3, 2024, some were still without power. County-wide damage due to trees down. Sporadic damage to roofs, walls, and balconies of buildings in downtown Washington. The full assessment of Wilkes County will take time, as the county has about 250…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station wsng1 Washington .
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A portion of the gas station overhang in the 800 block of ga-10 was removed by the wind.
Drought Drought
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Wilkes county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Wilkes county. In total,…
Drought Drought
According to the Drought Monitor, short-term D2 Severe Drought conditions began over Wilkes county on November 14, 2023 and continued through the end of the month.
Hail Hail
Golf ball sized hail cracked windshield on Hwy 47 near Hwy 195.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Automated weather station in Washington in Wilkes County (KIIY) measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
Winds gusted between 35 and 45 mph for several hours. A gust of 35 mph was recorded at the Washington AWOS (KIIY) at 5:35 AM EST.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported several trees blown down across the eastern portion of the county in a swath around 8 miles wide from the north side of Washington to near the Fishing Creek WMA.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported 3 trees blown down along Blackmon Farm Road near Pecan Grove Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The public reported several large tree limbs blown down along Elizabeth Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported a small shed and a trampoline anchored with concrete footings damaged by winds north of Rayle.
Media reported that Rocker Road near Greensboro Highway was washed out by flash flooding. A driver was injured and had to be rescued when her car drove into the floodwaters. Additionally, several other roads were closed in the area due to water over the road or touching the bridg…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Media reported Vinson Road was closed due to water over the roadway. Radar estimates indicate that 3 to 5 inches of rain occurred over the area in a short period of time.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down on Lovelace Way in Washington.
Drought Drought
Drought Drought
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
At least two areas where multiple trees were blown down on either side of the town of Tignall. Specifica locations include, near the intersection of Newton road and Jane Hill Road southwest of Tignall, and around Flatrock Road and Annie Blackmon Road.
Hail Hail
Report of quarter to golf ball sized hail in Washington.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Dispatch reported several trees down near intersection of Braxton and Lundberg Road.
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
A National Weather Service survey consisting of an analysis of measured wind data, along with reports from Emergency Managers and various other local, state and federal officials, found that tropical storm conditions occurred in the county. There were numerous reports of trees an…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Wilkes County Emergency Management reported areas along Flat Rock Road, near Newford Creek, had at least 6 inches of water running over the roadway. Radar estimates indicate 6 to 8 inches of rain occurred in the northeast portion of the county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported multiple trees and power lines blown down along Lundburg Road and Branham Road south of Washington. One tree fell onto and destroyed a well house at a home on Branham Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down at the intersection of Mallorysville Road and Newton Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported multiple trees blown down north of Rayle.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported several trees and power lines blown down across the county from the Rayle and Tignall areas across Washington to near Aonia.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A COOP observer measured just under a half of an inch of snow accumulation near Washington.
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
Local news media reported numerous trees and power lines blown down across the county. A local newspaper reported that at one time during the storm, for several hours, every electric utility customer in the county was without power. Some homes and vehicles were damaged by falling…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County 911 center reported trees blown down from Bartram Trace Road near Highway 44 to Sharon Road south of Washington and Hill Street in Washington.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A report was received on social media of a tree blown down on Danburg Road near the intersection with Bradford Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County 911 center reported trees blown down at Alexander Street and Baltimore Road and along Baker Street in Washington.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported trees blown down from south of Tignall to Washington. A tree fell on a car on Tignall Road striking a car, no injuries were reported. In Washington trees were blown down on Pope Street, Orchard Street, Alexander Avenue and Barnett Stre…
Hail Hail
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported quarter size hail in Tignall.
Hail Hail
Golf ball size hail was reported by a CoCoRaHS observer near Rayle.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported several trees blown down across the county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported around a dozen trees blown down at a residence on Rocker Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported numerous trees blown down across the county from near Rayle to Holiday Park.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A COOP observer near Washington reported a dusting, around a quarter on an inch, of snow.
Drought Drought
Drought Drought
Drought Drought
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 |
| 2009 | 9 | 1 |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 |
| 2007 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 14 | 0 |
| 2004 | 11 | 1 |
| 2003 | 14 | 0 |
| 2002 | 19 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 14 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 0 |
| 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Wilkes County, measured to its path.
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