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Gilmer County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

 
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The chance of earthquake damage in Gilmer County is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Gilmer County is lower than Georgia average and is higher than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake IndexVolcano IndexTornado IndexOther Weather Extremes EventsVolcanos NearbyHistorical Earthquake EventsHistorical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #25

Gilmer County
0.11
Georgia
0.08
U.S.
1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #1

Gilmer County
0.0000
Georgia
0.0000
U.S.
0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #56

Gilmer County
167.16
Georgia
179.92
U.S.
136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 15,618 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Gilmer County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

TypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCount
Avalanche:0Blizzard:0Cold:21Dense Fog:3Drought:61
Dust Storm:0Flood:966Hail:4,907Heat:23Heavy Snow:70
High Surf:0Hurricane:10Ice Storm:32Landslide:0Strong Wind:80
Thunderstorm Winds:8,039Tropical Storm:18Wildfire:2Winter Storm:84Winter Weather:55
Other:1,247 

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Gilmer County.

Historical Earthquake Events

A total of 2 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Gilmer County.

Distance (miles)DateMagnitudeDepth (km)LatitudeLongitude
42.51984-10-094.21234.75-85.2
38.21979-08-133.7535.24-84.38

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 69 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Gilmer County.

Distance (miles)DateMagnitudeStart Lat/LogEnd Lat/LogLengthWidthFatalitiesInjuriesProperty DamageCrop DamageAffected County
4.41974-04-03234°41'N / 84°30'W34°49'N / 84°21'W12.60 Miles200 Yards032.5M0Gilmer
5.71977-03-30234°37'N / 84°30'W2.00 Miles100 Yards04250K0Gilmer
12.01974-04-03234°49'N / 84°21'W34°51'N / 84°19'W3.00 Miles200 Yards022.5M0Fannin
12.91985-04-05234°30'N / 84°36'W34°33'N / 84°31'W5.00 Miles100 Yards002.5M0Pickens
17.11974-04-03434°46'N / 84°46'W34°48'N / 84°42'W4.70 Miles200 Yards12250K0Murray
19.01977-03-30234°33'N / 84°51'W34°36'N / 84°40'W11.00 Miles400 Yards00250K0Gordon
20.71974-04-03434°27'N / 84°15'W34°30'N / 84°09'W6.80 Miles200 Yards5132.5M0Dawson
21.22002-11-11234°25'N / 84°16'W34°27'N / 84°14'W3.00 Miles100 Yards03200K0Dawson
 Brief Description: The Dawson county Emergency Management Director reported that the tornado that originated in Cherokee county and traveled across Pickens county, entered Dawson county in the Big Canoe area and continued to just east-northeast of the Big Canoe area before dissipating. Two double-wide mobile homes were completely destroyed just east of the Big Canoe area as large trees fell on the structures. While the contents of one were salvagable, those of the other were destroyed. Three injuries occurred at one of these mobile homes as the residents were trapped by the downed trees on the structure. In addition, there were four other homes that received minor damage in the Big Canoe area. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in the area of the tornado and some roads were temporarily blocked as a result. Dawson county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.
21.32002-11-11234°21'N / 84°27'W34°26'N / 84°16'W14.00 Miles100 Yards0105.6M0Pickens
 Brief Description: The tornado that originated in Cherokee county near Beasley Gap, continued into and across Pickens county. Once again, the National Weather Service disaster survey team determined that this was a multi-segmented tornado, with much of the damage along the path caused by straight line winds of at least 70 mph. The tornado entered the county southwest of Cagle, then continued on to just north of Tate roughly paralleling Georgia Highway 108, then turned more eastward along Georgia Highway 53 to near Marblehill, through the Big Canoe golf course and recreation area, then east of Big Canoe into extreme western Dawson county. There was definite evidence of F2 tornadic damage just north of Tate where winds were estimated in the 113 to 157 mph range. Some of the hardest hit areas included homes on Pleasant Union Road near the Cherokee county border; the Mountain Lakes Estates area, where several homes suffered extensive damage; the Bethany-Salem district where at least 56 structures were damaged or destroyed; Refuge Road near Tate, the town suffering some of the greatest damage where several homes and business were destroyed; the Big Canoe area near the Dawson county border, where several homes were damaged and the tennis center suffered extensive damage. All together, a total of 26 structures, mostly residential homes were destroyed, 142 structures were partially damaged, 2 businesses were destroyed, and 14 vehicles were totally destroyed. In addition, ten people were injured, primarily in damaged homes or trapped in vehicles on which trees fell. One of the businesses destroyed was the popular Davis's Barbeque on Georgia Highway 108. The restaurant was completely blown away, including the 20-foot white columns that stood in front of the restaurant. Three of the injuries in the county occurred in new mobile homes behind the Barbeque restaurant when their homes were flattened by the winds and other debris from the restaurant. One of the children injured, a 4-year old girl, was found by a nearby pond. The Refuge Baptist Church suffered extensive damage and was left in shambles. The historic Big Canoe chapel was also among the structures suffering damage. The steeple and all of the windows were lost from the church along with other structural damage to both the exterior and interior walls. Numerous trees were uprooted and many power lines were damaged along the path. Thirty people had to be put up in shelters and at least 6000 people were left without power for an extended period. Pickens county was the hardest hit of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.
21.61974-04-03434°57'N / 84°18'W34°58'N / 84°13'W5.10 Miles400 Yards002.5M0Fannin
21.61974-04-03434°22'N / 84°20'W34°27'N / 84°15'W7.60 Miles200 Yards1172.5M0Pickens
21.81974-04-03434°30'N / 84°09'W34°32'N / 84°07'W3.30 Miles200 Yards002.5M0Lumpkin
22.51974-04-03434°36'N / 84°56'W34°46'N / 84°46'W14.90 Miles150 Yards0152.5M0Murray
22.72002-11-11234°21'N / 84°35'W34°23'N / 84°28'W6.00 Miles100 Yards001.8M0Cherokee
 Brief Description: A National Weather Service disaster survey team and the Cherokee county Emergency Manager Director observed a 6-mile long path of damage, beginning near Beasley Gap in northwest Cherokee county, then continuing east-northeast toward the town of Worley Crossroads on the Pickens county border. While much of the damage along the path was determined as straight line wind damage with speeds of at least 70 mph, there was definite indication of a multi-segmented tornado. The most significant tornado damage occurred on Salacoa Road near Beasley Gap, where the tornado damage was classified as F2. The damage path was approximately 627 yards wide at its widest point, but the tornadic portion of this damage was limited to around 100 yards wide. Two homes were completely destroyed, three were severely damaged, and six were moderately damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were down along and near the damage path as well. Some livestock was also killed during the event. Cherokee county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.
27.21974-03-21235°00'N / 84°45'W0.80 Mile300 Yards07250K0Polk
29.11974-04-03434°34'N / 84°58'W34°36'N / 84°56'W3.30 Miles150 Yards2252.5M0Whitfield
29.51973-03-16234°34'N / 84°57'W2.00 Miles300 Yards05250K0Gordon
30.81957-04-08234°26'N / 85°00'W34°32'N / 84°52'W10.30 Miles200 Yards05250K0Gordon
31.21965-04-26234°15'N / 84°20'W0.50 Mile33 Yards0025K0Cherokee
31.71962-04-11234°14'N / 84°30'W1.00 Mile100 Yards0025K0Cherokee
32.51985-04-05234°14'N / 84°21'W34°14'N / 84°17'W3.00 Miles100 Yards002.5M0Cherokee
32.91974-04-03434°58'N / 84°13'W35°09'N / 83°57'W18.90 Miles33 Yards42625.0M0Cherokee
33.11965-04-15234°23'N / 84°07'W34°22'N / 83°55'W11.50 Miles33 Yards00250K0Pickens
33.31970-04-02334°14'N / 84°11'W34°19'N / 84°08'W6.50 Miles50 Yards0025K0Forsyth
33.31974-04-03434°30'N / 85°03'W34°34'N / 84°58'W6.60 Miles150 Yards6252.5M0Gordon
33.71992-11-22334°34'N / 83°56'W34°41'N / 83°48'W10.00 Miles867 Yards172.5M0Lumpkin
34.11989-04-04234°25'N / 83°59'W34°30'N / 83°52'W9.00 Miles100 Yards0025K0Hall
35.81973-12-13235°11'N / 84°39'W0.80 Mile880 Yards03250K0Polk
36.21962-03-21334°10'N / 84°25'W10.00 Miles33 Yards00250K0Cherokee
36.92002-11-11234°18'N / 84°59'W34°19'N / 84°50'W12.00 Miles100 Yards001.5M0Bartow
 Brief Description: A National Weather Service disaster survey team and the Bartow county Emergency Management Director confirmed a 12 mile long west-east path of damage beginning on Barnsley Garden Road near Barnsley Gardens in northwest Bartow county continuing east to just south of Halls Station crossing U.S. Highway 41, then east across Pleasant Valley Road, to just east of Interstate 75 on Crowe Spring Road. The path of damage, up to 500 yards wide in some area, consisted mostly of damage caused by straight line winds with speeds of 80 to 100 mph, but there was definite evidence of tornadic damage of F2 intensity in an isolated area on Clear Creek Road. This portion of the tornado had a path length of 500 yards with a path width of 100 yards. Tornadic damage of F1 intensity was evident along a secondary segment of the damage path at the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Hazel Road about 3 miles north of Cassville. This portion of the torando had a path length of 500 yards with a path width of 100 yards. Twelve to 15 residental homes suffered major structural damage, seven chicken houses were destroyed, including 7500 chickens, and a barn was completely destroyed. There were also numerous downed trees and power lines along and near the the damage path. Bartow county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.
37.71956-02-18234°42'N / 85°17'W34°52'N / 84°56'W22.90 Miles100 Yards002.5M0Walker
38.51974-04-03335°06'N / 84°55'W35°14'N / 84°42'W15.40 Miles350 Yards1100250K0Bradley
39.01974-04-03234°08'N / 84°40'W34°10'N / 84°38'W3.30 Miles150 Yards000K0Cherokee
39.11992-11-22434°05'N / 84°31'W34°10'N / 84°26'W7.00 Miles867 Yards0122.5M0Cherokee
39.81974-04-03335°11'N / 84°52'W35°13'N / 84°42'W9.70 Miles500 Yards20250K0Bradley
39.91974-04-03335°13'N / 84°42'W35°16'N / 84°38'W5.40 Miles500 Yards10250K0Polk
40.11980-04-28235°15'N / 84°20'W35°16'N / 84°17'W3.30 Miles50 Yards01250K0Monroe
40.21974-04-03335°14'N / 84°42'W35°15'N / 84°40'W2.70 Miles350 Yards003K0Polk
40.51997-03-29335°09'N / 84°54'W35°09'N / 84°54'W4.00 Miles100 Yards0503.2M0Bradley
 Brief Description: In Hamilton county...the tornado first touched down in the Tiftonia community just west of downtown Chattanooga around 1:10 am EDT. As the tornado moved due east across the southern part of the county, 50 homes were completely destroyed. Another 600 homes and one business were heavily damaged. Most of the damage was concentrated in the East Brainerd community. There, about half of the 180-unit Hickory Villa apartment complex was destroyed, and 18 of 23 townhomes of the Hickory Trace complex were destroyed. Two more apartment complexes, Hickory Valley and Ledford Apartments, were severely damaged. Around 20000 homes were without electricity after the storm. Most power had been restored by Monday morning. In Bradley county...the tornado destroyed 5 poultry farms, 4 homes, and 4 mobile homes. Another 45 homes, 16 mobile homes and 3 poultry farms were damaged.
40.91986-02-06335°14'N / 84°49'W35°14'N / 84°40'W5.00 Miles270 Yards052.5M0Bradley
41.31986-02-06335°14'N / 84°39'W35°18'N / 84°39'W2.00 Miles270 Yards002.5M0Polk
41.51957-11-18234°28'N / 85°16'W34°33'N / 85°02'W14.50 Miles500 Yards00250K0Chattooga
41.91974-04-03234°06'N / 84°43'W34°08'N / 84°40'W3.80 Miles150 Yards000K0Bartow
42.01963-03-19235°11'N / 84°54'W35°12'N / 84°51'W3.30 Miles150 Yards03250K0Bradley
42.21974-04-03335°16'N / 84°38'W35°19'N / 84°33'W6.10 Miles500 Yards050250K0Mcminn
42.31970-07-19234°12'N / 84°54'W0.50 Mile20 Yards0225K0Bartow
42.32005-08-29234°40'N / 83°42'W34°44'N / 83°43'W5.00 Miles300 Yards003.0M0White
 Brief Description: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in cooperation with the White County Emergency Management Director and the White County Sheriff concluded that an F2 tornado had carved a five mile long path of destruction, roughly parallel to Georgia Highway 75, causing major destruction to the town of Helen. Extensive damage was reported to several business in downtown Helen, a Bavarian tourist town in the northeast Georgia mountains. The entire second floor was ripped off the Helen Econo Lodge by the tornado. A nearby chapel was completely destroyed. The roof of Hansel & Gretel's Candy Kitchen, the Alpine Village Shoppes, as well as that of a nearby barbecue company were all ripped off by the tornadic winds. A Circle K grocery store also suffered significant damage. Hundreds of trees were also down. One resident reported losing 200 trees just at his property. Georgia Highway 75 was completely blocked on both the north and south side of Helen from downed trees. Many power lines were also down in the area and power was out to much of the area for at least two days.
42.61986-02-06335°18'N / 84°39'W35°17'N / 84°36'W3.00 Miles270 Yards002.5M0Mcminn
42.71989-04-04234°06'N / 84°37'W34°04'N / 84°34'W3.00 Miles150 Yards002.5M0Cherokee
43.01965-04-15335°11'N / 84°52'W35°18'N / 84°45'W10.40 Miles600 Yards0502.5M0Bradley
43.31961-03-08234°54'N / 85°18'W34°56'N / 85°02'W15.20 Miles600 Yards00250K0Catoosa
43.41989-04-04234°06'N / 84°42'W34°05'N / 84°40'W2.00 Miles150 Yards00250K0Bartow
43.41982-04-26234°08'N / 84°51'W34°09'N / 84°48'W5.00 Miles300 Yards05250K0Bartow
43.61989-04-04234°05'N / 84°40'W34°05'N / 84°40'W1.00 Mile150 Yards00250K0Cobb
44.11973-03-16234°30'N / 85°15'W34°35'N / 85°10'W7.60 Miles100 Yards012.5M0Chattooga
44.11974-04-03234°05'N / 84°44'W34°06'N / 84°43'W2.30 Miles150 Yards070K0Cobb
44.31956-04-15233°54'N / 84°52'W34°12'N / 84°08'W46.80 Miles67 Yards00250K0Paulding
44.51989-04-04234°04'N / 84°34'W34°02'N / 84°31'W3.00 Miles150 Yards002.5M0Cobb
45.61968-05-29234°18'N / 85°06'W0.80 Mile33 Yards0025K0Floyd
45.81989-04-04234°10'N / 84°00'W34°09'N / 83°57'W3.30 Miles50 Yards00250K0Hall
46.71973-12-13334°18'N / 83°52'W34°18'N / 83°42'W9.50 Miles200 Yards0212.5M0Hall
46.71989-04-04234°25'N / 83°46'W34°22'N / 83°40'W7.50 Miles50 Yards0025K0Hall
47.71952-02-29235°18'N / 84°40'W35°27'N / 84°28'W15.30 Miles587 Yards00250K0Mcminn
48.31992-11-22433°55'N / 84°40'W34°05'N / 84°31'W13.00 Miles867 Yards03425.0M0Cobb
48.41986-03-19233°58'N / 84°32'W34°01'N / 84°29'W5.70 Miles300 Yards01525.0M0Cobb
48.92008-03-15334°06'N / 85°02'W34°07'N / 84°51'W11.00 Miles880 Yards003.0M0KBartow
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol confirmed that the EF3 tornado, that originated in Polk county just east of Seney, and continued across extreme southeast Floyd county, continued into southern Bartow county. The tornado entered the county about 3 1/4 miles west-northwest of Taylorsville and finally lifted about four miles southwest of Cartersville. The tornado tracked approximately 11 miles across southern Bartow county. While no deaths or injuries were reported from the tornado in Bartow county, several mobile homes were heavily damaged and hundreds of trees and several high voltage power transmission lines were knocked down and there was damage to the Georgia Power Plant on Georgia Highway 113. In addition, the Taylorsville Elementary School sustained significant damage. Several homes sustained roof damage along Popum Road just north of Taylorsville, a number of trees were down along Euharlee Road, and several bulidings, a number of trees, and several street signs were down in the area of Woodland High School about three miles southwest of Cartersville. All together, there were approximately 55 homes damaged, six of which were destroyed, and 30 homes with minor damage. Two schools, as noted above Taylorsville Elementary and Woodland High School suffered heavy damage. Some Georgia Power high transmission towers were also down. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The pattern that began to evolve on March 14th continued and intensified on March 15th. A stationary front remained draped across north Georgia from near Atlanta to Athens. South of this front, the air mass was becoming increasingly warm, moist and unstable. Meanwhile, aloft, a low amplitude, yet vigorous short wave embedded within a fast zonal flow, was tracking rapidly eastward from the mid south into the southeast. Strong shear and high helicity combined with the unstable air mass and the frontal boundary to allow repeated severe thunderstorms to develop and track eastward along the boundary across north Georgia. The activity began early in the day as a complex of thunderstorms moved into the area from Alabama and continued until nearly midnight. As the day progressed, especially during the afternoon, the development of the activity gradually progressed further south and by midnight had reached the south and southeast parts of the state. Numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadic supercells were observed throughout the day. Historical records indicate that this was one of the most significant severe weather days for the Peachtree City Weather Forecast Office with more events and warnings than had been observed since May 2003.
49.31954-12-05234°05'N / 85°00'W34°07'N / 84°53'W7.10 Miles500 Yards0025K0Bartow
49.61984-11-10234°01'N / 84°09'W1.50 Miles127 Yards082.5M0Gwinnett
50.01994-04-15335°19'N / 85°00'W35°26'N / 84°29'W15.00 Miles880 Yards175.0M0Hamilton, Meigs, Bradley And Mcminn
 Brief Description: The tornado first touched in northern Hamilton County near the town of Grasshopper and moved northeast crossing into Meigs County just south of Birchwood. One man was killed in Birchwood when his mobile home collapsed on top of him. Two others were injured in the same area. In Hamilton County, eight homes, three mobile homes, one church, and 17 barns were damaged or destroyed. The tornado continued across southern Meigs County passing near the towns of East View and Brittsville. Three persons were injured in the county. About 25 mobile homes and six barns were damaged or destroyed. The tornado then clipped the northern part of Bradley County. Two persons were injured in the county. Ten mobile homes and 17 homes were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down as well. The tornado then crossed into McMinn County where it moved through the towns of Lamontville, Riceville, Georgetown, and Englewood. The tornado was not on the ground during the entire trip in McMinn County, but was on the ground for much of its lifetime. When the tornado went through the town of Riceville, the local elementary school lost the roof off its concession stand and the bleachers were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down in the county as well. One person was injured in McMinn County. M57H


* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.


 
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