High Shoals, GA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in High Shoals is about the same as Georgia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in High Shoals is lower than Georgia average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #219
High Shoals, GA | 0.06 |
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
High Shoals, GA | 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, #481
High Shoals, GA | 143.23 |
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 3,827 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of High Shoals, GA were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 15 | Dense Fog: | 3 | Drought: | 40 |
Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 139 | Hail: | 1,264 | Heat: | 9 | Heavy Snow: | 28 |
High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 4 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 34 |
Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,842 | Tropical Storm: | 15 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 10 | Winter Weather: | 25 |
Other: | 385 |
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near High Shoals, GA.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near High Shoals, GA.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
41.9 | 1964-03-13 | 4.4 | 40 | 33.2 | -83.4 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 54 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near High Shoals, GA.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
7.0 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°53'N / 83°35'W | 33°55'N / 83°28'W | 7.20 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250.0M | 0 | Oconee |
7.8 | 1973-05-28 | 3 | 33°52'N / 83°38'W | 33°56'N / 83°30'W | 8.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Walton |
11.4 | 1973-05-28 | 3 | 33°56'N / 83°30'W | 33°58'N / 83°20'W | 9.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 65 | 25.0M | 0 | Clarke |
12.4 | 1976-05-28 | 2 | 33°57'N / 83°23'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Clarke | |
12.9 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°55'N / 83°28'W | 33°59'N / 83°16'W | 12.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 50 | 250.0M | 0 | Clarke |
14.8 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°45'N / 83°56'W | 33°53'N / 83°35'W | 22.10 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 50 | 250.0M | 0 | Walton |
19.9 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°59'N / 83°16'W | 34°01'N / 83°14'W | 3.30 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250.0M | 0 | Oglethorpe |
20.6 | 1965-07-11 | 2 | 33°30'N / 83°35'W | 33°33'N / 83°42'W | 7.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Newton |
21.3 | 1966-02-13 | 2 | 33°53'N / 83°10'W | 33°59'N / 83°10'W | 6.90 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Oglethorpe |
23.8 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°07'N / 83°40'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
24.8 | 1967-03-06 | 2 | 33°27'N / 83°36'W | 0.80 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jasper | |
26.4 | 1976-05-28 | 2 | 33°53'N / 83°57'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gwinnett | |
26.7 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 33°42'N / 83°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rockdale | |
26.7 | 1970-01-29 | 2 | 34°00'N / 83°54'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gwinnett | |
27.8 | 1966-05-01 | 2 | 34°12'N / 83°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
30.2 | 2010-11-30 | 2 | 34°02'N / 83°57'W | 34°04'N / 83°55'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5.0M | 0K | Gwinnett |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down near Holland Park Drive in east central Gwinnett county, or about five miles northwest of Dacula. The tornado then tracked slightly over two miles to the north-northeast between Mountain View High School and Twin Rivers Middle School before lifting just east of the intersection of Gravel Springs Road and Interstate-85. The tornado was determined to have a path width of 300 yards with maximum wind gusts of 130 mph. Extensive damage was observed to homes mainly in the Kirkstone Subdivision of Buford. A total of 56 homes and one business along the path of the tornado sustained at least minor damage. Of these, 15 to 20 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed and thus were declared uninhabitable. One of these homes collapsed on itself. Damage to homes and property was estimated by the state insurance commissioner to exceed $5 million. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A deep full-latitude upper trough was sweeping from the central into the eastern U.S. The trough brought a quick transition to the eastern U.S. from mild fall temperatures to an extended period of well below normal temperatures. As the trough swept through the southeastern U.S. on November 30th, it took on a significant negative tilt. Although only marginal instability was noted because of extensive pre-frontal cloud cover and light to moderate rain showers, a strong 50-60kt low-level jet accompanied the trough as it rotated through Georgia during the afternoon of November 30th. This was sufficient combined with minimal instability (CAPE) in place at the time to support the development of a fairly well marked, yet very narrow, quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) which spawned two tornadoes, one an EF2 causing extensive damage to homes in Gwinnett county, and another weaker tornado in Henry county. In addition, the squall line or QLCS also produced numerous damaging wind events across north and central Georgia. | |||||||||||
30.6 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°07'N / 83°14'W | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 9.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
31.2 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°34'W | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 1.90 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jackson |
32.3 | 1969-05-18 | 2 | 33°20'N / 83°55'W | 33°32'N / 83°47'W | 15.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Butts |
32.7 | 1964-12-24 | 3 | 33°31'N / 84°03'W | 33°29'N / 83°50'W | 12.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Newton |
33.2 | 1992-11-22 | 4 | 33°25'N / 83°12'W | 33°28'N / 83°02'W | 12.00 Miles | 867 Yards | 1 | 31 | 2.5M | 0 | Greene |
34.0 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 34°20'N / 83°30'W | 6.50 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
35.5 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 33°36'N / 84°05'W | 33°37'N / 84°04'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Rockdale |
36.0 | 1992-11-22 | 4 | 33°11'N / 83°27'W | 33°25'N / 83°12'W | 20.00 Miles | 867 Yards | 4 | 55 | 25.0M | 0 | Putnam |
36.6 | 1965-03-23 | 2 | 33°28'N / 83°02'W | 33°30'N / 82°57'W | 5.20 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Greene |
36.7 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°10'N / 84°00'W | 34°09'N / 83°57'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hall |
36.8 | 1998-04-08 | 2 | 33°56'N / 84°14'W | 34°01'N / 83°59'W | 15.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 10 | 50.0M | 0 | Gwinnett |
Brief Description: Significant widespread damage continued into Gwinnett county in a path from Norcross through Duluth and Suwanee to north of Lawrenceville. Large trees were knocked down or snapped. Many of them fell on homes and apartments causing damage. Roofs were torn off of houses. At least 5000 homes were affected. Ten people at an apartment complex were treated for minor injuries. | |||||||||||
37.6 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°16'W | 34°20'N / 83°16'W | 5.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 1 | 75K | 0 | Franklin |
Brief Description: This tornado touched down west of Franklin Springs, then moved north-northwest, damaging several homes, businesses, and vehicles as it tracked toward Carnesville. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. A 38-year-old woman was killed when the vehicle she was driving was hit by a falling tree. A passenger in the vehicle received minor injuries. F38VE | |||||||||||
37.6 | 2003-05-06 | 2 | 34°13'N / 83°06'W | 34°12'N / 83°02'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 12 | 200K | 0 | Elbert |
Brief Description: This tornado moved from Madison County into northwest Elbert County and intensified, destroying or severely damaging several houses and mobile homes. A parked car was also flipped before the tornado lifted. | |||||||||||
37.9 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 34°10'N / 82°56'W | 7.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 20 | 250K | 0 | Elbert |
37.9 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 33°32'N / 84°20'W | 33°45'N / 83°56'W | 27.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250.0M | 0 | Clayton |
38.1 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°18'N / 83°52'W | 34°18'N / 83°42'W | 9.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 21 | 2.5M | 0 | Hall |
38.8 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 33°36'N / 84°11'W | 33°36'N / 84°05'W | 3.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Henry |
38.9 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 2.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.1M | 0 | Franklin |
Brief Description: This tornado moved north across the town of Franklin Springs, damaging or destroying numerous structures along its 3-mile path. The city government building and the fire and police stations incurred significant damage, as did approximately 25 residences. Several large chicken houses were also destroyed. | |||||||||||
39.0 | 1964-12-24 | 3 | 33°30'N / 84°07'W | 33°31'N / 84°03'W | 4.10 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Henry |
39.1 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°22'N / 83°35'W | 34°22'N / 83°25'W | 9.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
40.1 | 1984-11-10 | 2 | 34°01'N / 84°09'W | 1.50 Miles | 127 Yards | 0 | 8 | 2.5M | 0 | Gwinnett | |
40.9 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°26'N / 83°27'W | 34°21'N / 83°27'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
41.4 | 1970-04-09 | 2 | 34°18'N / 83°08'W | 34°19'N / 83°06'W | 2.30 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Franklin |
42.6 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°46'W | 34°22'N / 83°40'W | 7.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hall |
44.1 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°24'N / 83°20'W | 34°25'N / 83°12'W | 7.80 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin |
44.5 | 2008-05-11 | 2 | 33°37'N / 84°16'W | 33°36'N / 84°13'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.5M | 0K | Clayton |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF2 tornado with maximum winds of 130 mph touched down in far northeast Clayton county, approximately four miles northeast of Morrow, and tracked on the ground for nearly 19 miles from northeast Clayton into northern Henry, southern Rockdale, and into western Newton county before finally lifting. Within Clayton county the tornado path was about 2.75 miles long with a maximum path width of 100 yards. Shortly after touchdown, the tornado caused extensive and significant damage within a 2.5 square mile area of the Ellenwood community. There were 185 private dwellings damaged, 53 of which were destroyed or left uninhabitable. At least 500 residents were displaced from their homes. Numerous trees and power lines were also down in the area. By far, the worst damage caused by this tornado occurred within Clayton county as the tornado weakened as it tracked further east into Henry, Rockdale, and Newton county. Despite the extensive damage, no injuries were reported. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary front was draped across north Georgia early on May 10th with an active northwest flow aloft. Meanwhile...a vigorous short wave aloft was approaching the area from the southern plains. The stationary front provided the focus for two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, one early in the morning on the 10th and another in the afternoon. The activity tracked east-southeast with the upper flow aloft, mainly across north Georgia during the early morning and across central Georgia during the afternoon. An isolated strong supercell also tracked across the southern part of central Georgia during the evening. After a lull of convective activity for about four hours, intense multicell thunderstorms tracked into the area from Alabama after midnight and before dawn on the 11th. As these thunderstorms tracked across west central and central Georgia, 15 tornadoes were identified by subsequent surveys making this the most significant tornado outbreak to affect the area since the Katrina-associated tornadoes on August 29, 2005. Millions of dollars of property damage were reported as many homes were destroyed from these tornadoes from the western and southern suburbs of Atlanta southeastward across Macon, Dublin, and other counties in east central and southeast Georgia. Many of these counties were eligible for disaster assistance from the federal government. In addition to the tornadoes and thunderstorm winds that caused extensive damage in dozens of counties across north and central Georgia during the early morning hours of May 11th, strong gradient winds developed on the back side of the strong cold front that moved through the area as low pressure intensified across the mid-Atlantic region. The strong winds combined with wet ground resulted in dozens of trees being blown down in some north Georgia counties. There were also two deaths as a result of downed trees in Barrow and Gwinnett county, all non-thunderstorm-related winds. | |||||||||||
46.0 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°28'N / 83°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Habersham | |
46.2 | 1964-12-24 | 3 | 33°25'N / 84°16'W | 33°30'N / 84°07'W | 10.40 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Henry |
46.2 | 2009-02-18 | 3 | 33°40'N / 82°52'W | 33°38'N / 82°34'W | 17.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Wilkes |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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 extreme northeastern McDuffie county. The total tornado path length was 18.6 miles. The tornado initially touched down in the Tyrone community in southwest Washington county. Here a cinder block home was completely destroyed with the cinder block debris blown downstream nearly 1/2 mile. Fifteen other homes along the path of the tornado sustained moderate to major damage from the tornado. Nineteen outbuildings and a commercial chicken house was destroyed. In addition, a steeple was blown off a church and a 2-ton truck was moved 60 feet. The maximum path width was approximately 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 160 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong cold front accompanied and deep negatively tilted upper trough through the eastern U.S. from the 18th into the 19th. An unseasonably warm and unstable air mass developed in advance of the cold front during the late afternoon and early evening across north and central Georgia as warm, moist air rode northward into Georgia on a strong low-level jet. Afternoon temperatures in the 70s and dewpoints in the 60s, combined with strong shear and moderate instability, resulted in the development of numerous supercell thunderstorms from mid-afternoon until a few hours after midnight on the 19th. Ten tornadoes, ranging in scale from EF0 to EF3 tracked across several north and central Georgia counties. The worst tornadoes affected the east central Georgia counties of Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, and Jasper. A death was observed in Hancock county with an EF3 tornado and several injuries were reported from Putnam and Hancock counties. In addition to the tornadoes, very large hail occurred with several of the thunderstorms, including four-inch diameter hail in Coweta and Fayette counties just south of Atlanta. Numerous reports of golf ball and larger-sized hail were received. The event resulted in millions of dollars of damage and the destruction of several homes in north and central Georgia counties. | |||||||||||
46.9 | 1998-04-08 | 2 | 33°57'N / 84°20'W | 33°57'N / 84°16'W | 4.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 1 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | De Kalb |
Brief Description: The damage path began just northeast of Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and extended well into Gwinnett county. There was significant widespread damage to trees and homes. One person was killed when a tree fell on his home. DeKalb College's north campus was closed after several buildings sustained major damage. M72PH | |||||||||||
47.2 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°16'W | 34°27'N / 83°07'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Franklin |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado damage path began near Farmers Academy Rd, about 0.5 mile south of highway 106. The tornado crossed Red Hill School Rd, where some outbuildings were destroyed and a couple of mobile homes received minor roof damage. As the tornado continued northeast, some frame homes on highway 106 received minor roof damage. The most significant damage occurred on Crumps Bridge Rd, where one large chicken house was completely destroyed, and several others received major damage. The tornado continued to move northeast, uprooting or snapping off numerous trees as it crossed highway 145 and Greater Hope Rd. From there, the tornado began to move in a more east/northeast direction, continuing to blow down trees as it moved roughly parallel to North Clarks Creek Rd. As the tornado crossed Hulsey Rd, roofs were blown off the wood frame addition to a mobile home and a barn. After the tornado crossed highway 17 and Pleasant Hill Circle, it continued to turn more to the right, traveling due east near the to Wilson Rd, where a mobile home was moved off its foundation, and the steel siding and some roofing material was blown off a building. The tornado continued to travel east, or even east/southeast, before lifting in the Gerrard Rd area. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into extreme northeast Georgia in the early evening hours. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage. | |||||||||||
47.2 | 1978-05-08 | 2 | 33°39'N / 84°19'W | 33°41'N / 84°18'W | 2.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | De Kalb |
47.9 | 1972-01-10 | 3 | 33°41'N / 84°21'W | 33°42'N / 84°18'W | 3.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | De Kalb |
48.8 | 1969-07-19 | 2 | 33°24'N / 84°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Henry | |
49.4 | 1965-04-15 | 2 | 34°23'N / 84°07'W | 34°22'N / 83°55'W | 11.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pickens |
49.9 | 1970-04-02 | 3 | 34°14'N / 84°11'W | 34°19'N / 84°08'W | 6.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Forsyth |
49.9 | 1992-11-22 | 2 | 33°04'N / 83°44'W | 33°07'N / 83°37'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Jones |
50.0 | 1970-04-02 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°56'W | 34°21'N / 82°52'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Hart |
* 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.