NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Chester, GA
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
48 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Chester, Georgia since 1851, 2 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Helene in 2024. Since 1950, 92 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 2
- Tropical storms
- 46
- Tornadoes
- 92
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
5 deaths in all
What the records show for Chester
The strongest storm to pass near Chester was an unnamed storm in 1894, a Category 1 hurricane with 79 mph winds when its centre passed 47 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Helene in 2024, whose centre crossed the city. The record near Chester begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Helene in 2024. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 6 systems. Of the 48 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Chester has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 60% of the 405 Georgia cities on this site. The strongest of the 92 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F3 on April 30, 1953; its path came within 24 miles, and it killed 1 person. The deadliest, an EF2 on May 11, 2008, killed 2 people. Of the 92, 8 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 54 have come since 2000. April has had the most tornadoes, 32. The most recent tornado was on May 9, 2024. Chester has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 60% of the 405 Georgia cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 24 times since 1978, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 405 Georgia cities, 87% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Chester.
Compare Chester's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Chester
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | HeleneSep 27 | overhead | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2023 | IdaliaAug 30 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2016 | HermineSep 2 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1968 | AbbyJun 7 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | DoraSep 12 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | Unnamed 1957 stormJun 9 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 27 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormOct 15 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 8 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1940 | Unnamed 1940 stormAug 12 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormSep 6 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormJul 29 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 30 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1911 | Unnamed 1911 stormAug 29 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 29 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 28 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 18 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormOct 3 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormSep 1 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 8 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 47 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 10 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormAug 28 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormOct 6 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 23 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 13 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 27 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Chester: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Chester
By decade
- 2020s17
- 2010s24
- 2000s13
- 1990s5
- 1980s3
- 1970s8
- 1960s14
- 1950s8(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1953 | F3 | 24 mi | 2 mi | 1 / 2 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 16 mi | 13.79 mi | 2 / 2 |
| Apr 5, 2011 | EF2 | 9 mi | 3.13 mi | 1 / 2 |
| Nov 8, 1996 | F2 | in town | 4 mi | 1 / 6 |
| Apr 5, 2017 | EF2 | 12 mi | 20.19 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 21, 2014 | EF2 | 17 mi | 17.47 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 14 mi | 3.64 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 14, 2007 | EF2 | 13 mi | 6.03 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF2 | 18 mi | 13.27 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 16, 1972 | F2 | 11 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 12 |
| Jan 13, 1972 | F2 | 11 mi | 11.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 15, 1971 | F2 | 12 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 92, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Chester
The Storm Prediction Center has 24 hail reports within 10 miles of Chester since 1978, made on 20 separate days. Of these, 12 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 7 days, most recently October 25, 2010. The most recent report is from May 24, 2020. June has the most reports, 6.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Chester
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Eastman 1 W, GA, 14 miles south of Chester at 400 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 91°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 59°F and 38°F. July is the wettest at 4.9 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 2.4 inches; the year adds up to 47.0 inches over 62 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 49% of the year's precipitation (23.2 of 47.0 inches); the other six months are wetter. September has brought the most of the 48 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (16); a normal September there has highs of 86°F and 3.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 76 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 31 nights a year. That 47.0 inches is more than at 12 of the 108 Georgia stations used on this site (11%). Dexter, 7 miles east, has its own station (Dublin, GA): 47.4 inches a year, 0.4 more than here, and a July average high of 94°F against 91°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59 | 38 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Feb | 63 | 41 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Apr | 77 | 53 | 3.5 | 4 |
| May | 84 | 62 | 2.7 | 4 |
| Jun | 89 | 69 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Aug | 90 | 71 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Sep | 86 | 66 | 3.9 | 5 |
| Oct | 78 | 56 | 2.4 | 4 |
| Nov | 69 | 46 | 3.0 | 4 |
| Dec | 61 | 40 | 4.8 | 5 |
| Year | 76 | 55 | 47.0 | 62 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Eastman 1 W, GA (400 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Chester
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 72 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Chester: 66 thunderstorm wind reports, 3 flash floods and 3 lightning strikes. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $690,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 70 mph, on June 6, 2024.
June 5, 2007: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Chester — $100,000 damage.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Dodge County, which includes Chester, has been named in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 8 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 severe storms, 2 tropical storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 30, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Dodge County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind, lightning and heat waves; Very Low for hail and inland flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $10.0 million a year, the 74th highest of 159 Georgia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $2.6 million (26%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. 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).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets 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).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Chester
- Dexter, GA7 mi
- Cochran, GA10 mi
- Rentz, GA12 mi
- Eastman, GA14 mi
- Dublin, GA16 mi
- Jeffersonville, GA20 mi
- Hawkinsville, GA20 mi
- East Dublin, GA24 mi
- Helena, GA26 mi
- Alamo, GA28 mi
- Bonaire, GA29 mi
- Kathleen, GA29 mi
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