Discover the Georgia Town Most Likely to Be Hit By a Tornado

Written by Jennifer Geer
Updated: June 21, 2023
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Georgia is no stranger to severe weather. Tornadoes, in particular, can be extremely violent weather episodes, with wind speeds having the potential to reach above 300 miles per hour. Although Georgia is outside of tornado alley (the midwest region in the US that sees the most tornadoes per year), the “Peach State” has its share of destructive tornadoes.

Tornadoes are spawned from powerful thunderstorms. Unlike hurricanes, they can appear suddenly, giving people, and wildlife, little chance to get out of the way. Tornadoes vary in size and intensity. 

A dark day, near Oklahoma the El Reno tornado of 2013 and related storms took a terrible toll. We avoided the brunt of this storm but even at this long range the power of the storm was palpable.

Tornadoes are spawned from 

powerful thunderstorms

.

©Cammie Czuchnicki/Shutterstock.com

What Town is Most Likely to Experience a Tornado in Georgia?

Georgia may be known for its natural beauty, peach trees, and stunning beaches, but despite its southern location, it’s still vulnerable to tornadoes.  

But which town in the state is the most vulnerable to these powerful storms? Marietta, Georgia, has a Tornado Index score of 289.44, making it the most likely town in Georgia to be hit by a tornado. 

The Tornado Index score is a measure of tornado activity within a region that measures the likelihood of a tornado occurring in a given area. 

The entire state of Georgia is ranked 179.92 on the Tornado Index score, making it 14th in the nation for tornado activity. The state with the highest ranking in the US on the tornado index is Oklahoma (with 363.83). Oklahoma is located right in the middle of tornado alley, a stretch of states including Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Texas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. 

For comparison, the town in Oklahoma with the highest tornado activity is Valley Brook, Oklahoma, with a stunning 696.05 score. Although that’s quite a bit higher than Marietta’s score of 289.44, residents of Marietta need to be wary of severe storms.

Aerial View of the Atlanta Suburb of Marietta, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia, has a Tornado Index score of 289.44, making it the most likely town in Georgia to be hit by a tornado.

©Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock.com

The History of Marietta

With a population of 58,436, Marietta is one of the larger suburbs of Atlanta. The town was settled before 1824 and boasts the Oakton House, which is the oldest continuously occupied residence in Marietta. The Oakton House was built in 1838 and still retains its original barn, milkhouse, smokehouse, and well house.

Today, Marietta has a bustling town square which is the site of cultural productions and public events, such as a weekly farmer’s market. The town has 24 parks and recreation centers and was on CNN Money’s top 25 places in the United States to retire in 2011. 

The median value of a single-family home is $330,700, with the median household income at $62,585. Visitors to Marietta can stop in the Marietta Museum of History to view thousands of artifacts, some from Marietta residents and businesses, which tell the story of the town.

What is the Deadliest Tornado in Georgia’s History?

In April 1936, a deadly outbreak of 17 tornadoes tore across the South. In Gainsville, Georgia, two F4 tornadoes hit the center of the business district and the county courthouse. Gainsville is roughly 60 miles to the northeast of Marietta. 

In all, the storm left over 200 dead and 1,600 injured. According to the National Weather Service, an F4 tornado can spawn winds of 207-260 miles per hour, destroying even well-constructed houses. 

Are There Other Vulnerable Areas in Georgia?

All of Georgia is susceptible to tornadoes, although there has never been a recorded F5 tornado in Georgia. The top five towns on the Tornado Index score following Marietta are:

  • Fair Oaks (286.98)
  • Kennesaw (283.61)
  • Smyrna (279.37)
  • Vinings (277.01).

The barrier islands, such as Sapeo Island, Sea Island, and Jekyll Island, are last on the list for tornado activity. These areas range in the 40s on the tornado scale. Although tornadoes are rare here, these areas are more vulnerable to water spouts and hurricanes.

Local storm in Saint Louis, Missouri

All of Georgia is susceptible to tornadoes, although there has never been a recorded F5 tornado.

©Caleb Kroll/Shutterstock.com

How Do Tornadoes Impact Wildlife in Georgia?

The area near Marietta is home to many outdoor spaces. Offering parks, trails, lakes, and recreation areas, making it friendly to a wide variety of wild animals. 

Some animals commonly found in Georgia include:

Forest Fire

The

lightning

that accompanies tornadoes can start

forest fires

.

©iStock.com/bradscottphotos

Tornadoes can cause devastation to wildlife as well as people. Powerful winds uproot old trees, which may be providing habitats for wild animals. The lightning that accompanies tornadoes can start forest fires, and flash flooding can put animals in danger. 

However, perhaps the deadliest aspect of tornadoes to wildlife is the debris from man-made hazardous waste. Materials such as asbestos from destroyed homes, household cleaning products, automotive products, insecticides, and pesticides can end up in the soil, water, and atmosphere.

Where is Marietta Located on a Map?

Marietta is one of the larger suburbs northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, with a population of more than 58,000. The town was settled before 1824. Marietta was on CNN Money’s top 25 places in the United States to retire in 2011. There also is the Gone with the Wind Museum, nearby, which celebrates the film and the Margaret Mitchell novel.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Minerva Studio/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Jennifer Geer is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on animals, news topics, travel, and weather. Jennifer holds a Master's Degree from the University of Tulsa, and she has been researching and writing about news topics and animals for over four years. A resident of Illinois, Jennifer enjoys hiking, gardening, and caring for her three pugs.

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