Columbus, GA Tornado History — 96 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Columbus, GA had?
Columbus has had 96 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Columbus?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Columbus was an EF0 on May 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Columbus?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Columbus, with 29 on record. April through June account for 39 of the 96 tornadoes on record near Columbus.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Columbus
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 48 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Columbus since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
EF1 tornado with max winds of 90 mph. On the ground 4.5 miles with a max width of 150 yards. (FFC)
Start Point. Damage was surveyed on county rd 26 on the eastern side of Hatchechubbee and determined to be consistent with a brief... EF0 tornado. The tornado tracked n (BMX)
Within 25 miles of Columbus. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Columbus
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Columbus and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 6, 2025 and the most recent on May 3, 2025. They are already counted in the Columbus totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
A weak EF0 tornado embedded in a line of severe thunderstorms occurred in the Salem area on the evening of May 3. Max winds 75 mph and path length 3.76 miles. (BMX)
NWS Storm Survey confirmed EF-1 tornado with max winds of 90 mph. Over a 2.5 mile path and up to 350 yards wide. (FFC)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Columbus
33 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Columbus since 1950, across 3 events. 717 injuries have been reported across all events. 2019 was the deadliest year on record near Columbus.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on March 3, 2019, which caused 23 fatalities along a 68.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Columbus
What the record shows near Columbus
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Columbus, with 28 of the 96 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Columbus record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Columbus, 72 reached EF0 or EF1 and 24 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Columbus is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Columbus has averaged 2.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 48 in total. 2009 was the busiest of them with 10, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.