NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Sylvania, 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
75 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Sylvania, Georgia since 1851, 11 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 55 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 2 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 11
- Tropical storms
- 64
- Tornadoes
- 55
- EF3 or stronger
- 2
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
6 deaths in all
What the records show for Sylvania
The strongest storm to pass near Sylvania was Gracie in 1959, a Category 3 hurricane with 113 mph winds when its centre passed 55 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1854, whose centre came within 8 miles. The record near Sylvania begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 61 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1940s, with 8 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 75 systems, 12 have come since 2000. Sylvania has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 83% of the 405 Georgia cities on this site. The strongest of the 55 tornadoes within 25 miles was an EF4 on April 13, 2020; its path came within 20 miles, and it killed 5 people. Of the 55, 8 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 31 have come since 2000. September has had the most tornadoes, 12. The most recent tornado was on March 16, 2025. Of the 405 Georgia cities, 83% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Sylvania. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 37 times since 1970, with stones up to 2.25 inches. Of the 405 Georgia cities, 69% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Sylvania.
Compare Sylvania's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Sylvania
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 6 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2023 | IdaliaAug 30 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2022 | ColinJul 1 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | DannyJun 28 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | FlorenceSep 16 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2016 | HermineSep 2 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | BerylMay 30 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2007 | BarryJun 3 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1988 | ChrisAug 28 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormSep 15 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1968 | AbbyJun 7 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1966 | AlmaJun 10 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | DoraSep 13 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | CleoAug 29 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 29 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | GracieSep 29 | 55 mi | Category 3 (113 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | Unnamed 1957 stormJun 9 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 27 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 50 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormOct 15 | 69 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 8 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 17 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 8 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1940 | Unnamed 1940 stormAug 12 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormSep 7 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 18 | 70 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 16 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1911 | Unnamed 1911 stormAug 28 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 29 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 18 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 31 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 39 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 24 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormSep 27 | 63 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 27 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | overhead | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1884 | Unnamed 1884 stormSep 11 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormAug 28 | 61 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 74 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1873 | Unnamed 1873 stormSep 19 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormOct 6 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 14 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 8 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 27 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Sylvania: 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 Sylvania
By decade
- 2020s7(2 EF3+)
- 2010s4
- 2000s20
- 1990s4
- 1980s6
- 1970s10
- 1960s3
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF4 | 20 mi | 23.73 mi | 5 / 60 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 19 mi | 13.28 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Sep 22, 2000 | F2 | 24 mi | 4.8 mi | 1 / 5 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF2 | 21 mi | 18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 1, 2003 | F2 | 5 mi | 6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 1, 2003 | F2 | 11 mi | 7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | F2 | in town | 8 mi | 0 / 7 |
| May 3, 1984 | F2 | 16 mi | 20 mi | 0 / 30 |
| Mar 16, 1976 | F2 | 20 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 16, 1976 | F2 | 24 mi | 0.8 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 6, 1968 | F2 | 11 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 7, 1967 | F2 | in town | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 55, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Sylvania
The Storm Prediction Center has 37 hail reports within 10 miles of Sylvania since 1970, made on 29 separate days. Of these, 20 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.25 inches, fell on May 12, 1971. The most recent report is from May 19, 2024. May has the most reports, 15.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Sylvania
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Rocky Ford 4SE, GA, 12 miles southwest of Sylvania at 160 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 92°F and low of 71°F; January is the coolest, at 58°F and 36°F. July is the wettest at 5.9 inches of precipitation on average and November the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 48.4 inches over 74 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (26.0 of 48.4 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 75 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (25); a normal September there has highs of 85°F and 3.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 74 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 44 nights a year. That 48.4 inches is more than at 28 of the 108 Georgia stations used on this site (26%). Millen, 21 miles west, has its own station (Midville Exp Stn, GA): 45.8 inches a year, 2.6 less than here, and the same July average high, 92°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58 | 36 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Feb | 62 | 39 | 3.6 | 7 |
| Mar | 69 | 44 | 4.3 | 6 |
| Apr | 76 | 51 | 3.3 | 5 |
| May | 84 | 60 | 3.5 | 5 |
| Jun | 89 | 68 | 5.7 | 8 |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 5.9 | 8 |
| Aug | 90 | 71 | 4.8 | 8 |
| Sep | 85 | 65 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Oct | 77 | 54 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Nov | 68 | 43 | 2.9 | 4 |
| Dec | 60 | 38 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Year | 76 | 53 | 48.4 | 74 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Rocky Ford 4SE, GA (160 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 Sylvania
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 190 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Sylvania: 184 thunderstorm wind reports, 3 flash floods and 3 lightning strikes. They killed 1 person and injured 3, and the NWS estimated $642,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 110 mph, on May 11, 2008.
October 13, 2011: thunderstorm wind in Sylvania — 1 killed, 1 injured, $3,000 damage.
NWS: “Law enforcement reported 5 trees down in Sylvania, Georgia. An adult female was injured and taken to a hospital after colliding with a tree that was blown down on Statesboro Road.”
January 21, 2012: thunderstorm wind 3 miles from the centre of Sylvania — 1 injured, $9,000 damage.
NWS: “Screven County Law Enforcement reported a tree fell on a Mobile Home, 1 mile south southeast of Altman, trapping the occupant inside. The occupant was rescued and transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries.”
August 13, 2007: thunderstorm wind in Sylvania — 1 injured, $200 damage.
NWS: “One person was hospitalized after a large tree branch fell on the individual.”
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
Screven County, which includes Sylvania, has been named in 21 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 10 of them major disasters (by incident: 9 hurricanes, 3 tropical storms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 30, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Screven County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes; Relatively Low for 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 $9.5 million a year, the 75th highest of 159 Georgia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $4.7 million (49%), is from hurricanes.
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 Sylvania
- Millen, GA21 mi
- Portal, GA22 mi
- Estill, SC23 mi
- Statesboro, GA23 mi
- Allendale, SC25 mi
- Clyo, GA25 mi
- Fairfax, SC27 mi
- Brooklet, GA28 mi
- Waynesboro, GA31 mi
- Springfield, GA31 mi
- Hampton, SC32 mi
- Guyton, GA34 mi
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