Storms near Ben Hill County
The record holds 56 tropical cyclones whose tracks passed within 50 km of Ben Hill County, Georgia between 1851 and 2024. The busiest month is September, with 13 of them. The strongest, measured where each came closest to the place, reached category 4 strength. 4 of the storms have no wind speed in the record.
- 56storms within 50 km
- 1major (category 3 to 5) near here
- 15at category 1 strength or more
A storm counts once, however many times it came close. The category is the storm's strongest point within 50 km, which can be weaker than its peak elsewhere.
How strong were the storms near Ben Hill County?
| Category near here | Storms | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical depression | 15 | 27% |
| Tropical storm | 22 | 39% |
| Category 1 | 11 | 20% |
| Category 2 | 3 | 5% |
| Category 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Category 4 | 1 | 2% |
| Category 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown intensity | 4 | 7% |
The agency behind most of the intensity figures here is the NOAA National Hurricane Center (HURDAT2, Atlantic).
Ben Hill County storms over time
The 2020s only run to 2024, so that bar is for a shorter period. This place's record starts in 1851, and records before the satellite era (about the 1960s) are far less complete.
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| 1850s | 3 |
| 1860s | 4 |
| 1870s | 3 |
| 1880s | 4 |
| 1890s | 2 |
| 1900s | 4 |
| 1910s | 7 |
| 1920s | 3 |
| 1930s | 2 |
| 1940s | 4 |
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1960s | 2 |
| 1970s | 1 |
| 1980s | 3 |
| 1990s | 4 |
| 2000s | 3 |
| 2010s | 3 |
| 2020s | 2 |
Earlier decades hold fewer storms partly because they were harder to see. Before weather satellites (about the 1960s) many storms that stayed at sea went unrecorded, so compare decades with care.
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 0 |
| Apr | 0 |
| May | 1 |
| Jun | 7 |
| Jul | 7 |
| Aug | 12 |
| Sep | 13 |
| Oct | 13 |
| Nov | 3 |
| Dec | 0 |
Strongest storms near Ben Hill County
- Helene (2024)23 September 2024 to 28 September 2024, peak Category 4 (120 kt), 941 hPa
- Unnamed storm of September 1898 (North Atlantic)25 September 1898 to 6 October 1898, Category 2 (90 kt) near here, peak Category 4 (115 kt), 938 hPa
- Unnamed storm of October 1947 (North Atlantic)8 October 1947 to 16 October 1947, peak Category 2 (90 kt), 966 hPa
- Unnamed storm of September 1894 (North Atlantic)26 September 1894 to 12 October 1894, Category 2 (85 kt) near here, peak Category 3 (105 kt)
- Unnamed storm of October 1852 (North Atlantic)3 October 1852 to 12 October 1852, Category 1 (80 kt) near here, peak Category 2 (90 kt)
Most recent storms near Ben Hill County
- Helene (2024)23 September 2024 to 28 September 2024, peak Category 4 (120 kt), 941 hPa
- Elsa (2021)30 June 2021 to 10 July 2021, Tropical storm (45 kt) near here, peak Category 1 (75 kt), 991 hPa
- Michael (2018)6 October 2018 to 15 October 2018, Category 1 (80 kt) near here, peak Category 4 (135 kt), 920 hPa
Many of these storms killed people and destroyed homes. The figures are the official record's, and this page says nothing about their human cost.
A storm that came near several counties counts in each one, so county counts add up to more than the state's.
Notable storms near Ben Hill County
- Helene (2024)23 September 2024 to 28 September 2024, peak Category 4 (120 kt), 941 hPa
- Kate (1985)15 November 1985 to 23 November 1985, peak Category 3 (105 kt), 954 hPa