Tornadoes in Alabama

Last updated

Tornadoes in Alabama
1994piedmont.jpg
Shoal Creek Valley Alabama Tornado April 27, 2011.jpg
Rainsville Tornado Dana Dobbins.png
Beauregard-Talbotton tornado radar loop.gif
Smithfield tornado damage.jpg
Clockwise from top: An F4 tornado near Piedmont during the 1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak; a destructive EF4 tornado in the Ohatchee area; an EF5 tornado after heavily damaging Rainsville; radar progression of a violent and deadly EF4 tornado that traveled over 60 miles through areas near Alabama; heavy damage from a 1977 F5 tornado in ithe suburbs of Alabama
Tornadoes statewide2,848 (1925-2025)
Fatalities>1,867 (1794-2025)
Deadliest single tornado71 deaths
Hackleburg, Alabama, Phil Campbell, Alabama EF5 tornado
on April 27, 2011
Most active year2011 (146 tornadoes)

The U.S. state of Alabama has seen numerous destructive and devastating tornadoes since 1819, the year with the first recorded tornado within state boundaries. Alabama, located in the "Dixie Alley" region of the Southern United States, experiences an average of 64 tornadoes annually. [1] 297 tornadoes have been classified as "intense" in Alabama, being rated F3+ on the Fujita Scale [note 1] or EF3+ on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Alabama has seen nine F5 or EF5 tornadoes since 1966, the most recent hitting Rainsville in April 2011. The deadliest moved across North Alabama, hitting numerous communities and killing 71 people.

Contents

Alabama saw numerous significant tornadoes prior to 1950, including an F4 tornado that killed 30 people in Calhoun and Cherokee counties. 1932 saw a devastating tornado outbreak that killed over 200 people in the state of Alabama; an F4-rated tornado impacted the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport. 26 people were killed in 1935 when a strong tornado moved through the city of Montgomery. The 1950s were saw several large and destructive tornadoes impact communities. The widest of the decade, rated F3, reached a maximum width of 1480 yd (1350 m) as it moved across Russell County. In 1954, a violent tornado took the lives of 25 people in the northern suburbs of Birmingham; another tornado just eight days earlier killed five people in Falkville.

Tornadoes in the 1960s were equally-as-destructive, with a total of 157 tornadoes touching down within state boundaries, killing 81 people. An extremely long-tracked F5 tornado that originated in Mississippi moved into Alabama on March 3, 1966; Tuscaloosa and other communites were affected. Earlier in the decade an F4 tornado killed 10 people and injured six others southeast of Harpersville.

The 1970s was a highly-deadly decade for tornadoes in Alabama, with the "Super Outbreak" occurring in 1974. Alabama was affected by three F5 tornadoes that day, with at least 78 people dying in the state. The town of Tanner saw two destructive F5 tornadoes that each killed over 15 people. Later in the decade saw an F5 tornado impact the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama, killing 22. Only 36 people were killed by tornadoes through the 1980s, most of which were from a destructive tornado that moved through areas near Huntsville in November 1989.

The 1990s were a relatively significant decade for tornadoes in Alabama. On March 27, 1994, an F4 tornado killed 22 people in the Piedmont area; an F3 tornado near Fyffe on the same day injured 20 others. Six people were killed when a tornado moved south of Arab on February 15, 1995. The end of the decade saw an F5 tornado devastate portions of northern Birmingham, killing 32 and injuring over 200 others.

The 2000s were quiet in terms of tornado activity in Alabama, with the deadliest tornado killing 11 people on December 16, 2000. Several F4 tornadoes hit the state during this period, including one that moved through the city of Enterprise. The 2010s saw the most destructive tornado outbreak in recorded history on April 27, 2011; Alabama was impacted by 62 tornadoes. [4] Several violent tornadoes affected communities across the state like Cordova, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Oak Grove, Plainview, Cullman, Fackler, Flat Rock, Eoline and other communities in North and Central Alabama. The outbreak killed an estimated 247 persons in Alabama alone, making it the second-deadliest tornado outbreak in the state's history. [5] Both the deadliest and widest tornadoes in Alabama history occurred on this day.

Alabama tornado climatology

Alabama is located in a region known informally as "Dixie Alley", a term used for areas of the southern United States which are particularly vulnerable to strong to violent tornadoes. [6] Dixie Alley is part of a region of enhanced tornadic activity extending between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, [7] but tornadoes and outbreaks in the Dixie Alley region exhibit some statistically distinguishable characteristics from the more well known Tornado Alley. [8] Tornadic storms in Dixie Alley are most often high precipitation supercells due to an increase of moisture from proximity to the nearby Gulf of Mexico. The Dixie Alley tornadoes accompanying the HP supercells are often partially or fully wrapped in rain, impairing the visibility of the tornadoes to storm spotters and chasers, law enforcement, and the public. [9] [10] Increases of warmth and instability in conjunction with strong wind shear in the Dixie Alley region impacts the times when tornadoes form. In the traditional Tornado Alley, tornadoes most often form from the mid afternoon to early evening. [9] [10]

The vast majority of Alabama is located in Dixie Alley (highlighted in red). DixieAlleymap.png
The vast majority of Alabama is located in Dixie Alley (highlighted in red).

Dixie Alley's instability can be maintained long after sunset due to being adjacent to the Gulf, increasing the frequency of intense nighttime and early morning tornadoes. [9] There is also a less focused tornado season which tends to be most active in early spring and late autumn but can continue throughout the winter and into late spring, which can lead to complacency among residents of the region. The region often is subject to tornadoes much earlier than the general national peak from May and June, usually from February to Mid-April, [11] and several notorious outbreaks have struck during the late winter and early spring and also in late fall. [9]

Although tornadoes are less frequent in these states than they are in the southern Plains, the southeastern states have had more tornado-related deaths than any of the Plains states (excluding Texas). This is partly due to the fact that there are relatively high numbers of strong/violent long tracked tornadoes and higher population density of this region, as well as the Southern United States having the highest percentage of manufactured homes in the US, where 63% of the overall tornado-related fatalities occur. [12] According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), for the period January 1, 1950 October 31, 2006, Alabama and Kansas received the largest number of F5 tornadoes. Complicating matters is that tornadoes are rarely visible in this area, as they are more likely to be rain-wrapped, embedded in shafts of heavy rain, and that the hilly topography and heavily forested landscape makes them difficult to see. [12]

Intense tornadoes

Pre–1925

 Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Alabama
F# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
F4November 22, 18741430SW to E of Muscle Shoals Franklin19.2 mi (30.9 km)Unknown
F3220 Montevallo Shelby10.2 mi (16.4 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3February 14, 1875315NW of Reform PickensUnknown150 yd (140 m)
F4March 20, 1875720N of Opelika to SE of Valley Lee, Chambers23.5 mi (37.8 km)300 yd (270 m)
F4May 1, 18751550E of Rockford to LaFayette Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chamber79.6 mi (128.1 km)400 yd (370 m)
F32230N of Loachapoka Lee70.2 mi (113.0 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3March 27, 188228SW to E of GeorgianaButler12.1 mi (19.5 km)200 yd (180 m)
F328W to N of Loachapoka Lee5.2 mi (8.4 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3110SE of Clayton Barbour6.9 mi (11.1 km)600 yd (550 m)
F4February 19, 18841330N of Hoover to Leeds to E of Moody Jefferson, St. Clair29.7 mi (47.8 km)400 yd (370 m)
F430100N of Jacksonville to NW of Piedmont Calhoun, Cherokee35.4 mi (57.0 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3April 1, 1884310E of Ider DeKalb18.3 mi (29.5 km)Unknown
F3January 11, 1885125W of Vernon to W of Carbon Hill Lamar, Fayette, Walker38.4 mi (61.8 km)600 yd (550 m)
F4220SW of Eutaw to Brent to S of Calera Greene, Hale, Bibb, Chilton80.3 mi (129.2 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3220S of Sylacauga to E of Wedowee Coosa, Clay, Randolph58.1 mi (93.5 km)600 yd (550 m)
F4November 6, 188513400SW to N of Selma Dallas30 mi (48 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3March 3, 1893415S of Cuba Sumter25.7 mi (41.4 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3March 13, 189502E of Louisville to NE of Clayton Barbour14.8 mi (23.8 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4March 18, 18991230E of Anniston to S of Fruithurst Calhoun, Cleburne17 mi (27 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3November 20, 1900011E of Hamilton MarionUnknown200 yd (180 m)
F3March 25, 190117100 Birmingham Jefferson15 mi (24 km)50 yd (46 m)
F4April 7, 190319100 Holly Pond Cullman, Blount20.1 mi (32.3 km)100 yd (91 m)
F4January 21, 190436150 Moundville to SE of Tuscaloosa Hale, Tuscaloosa15.1 mi (24.3 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3March 20, 1905930SW to E of Roanoke Chambers, Randolph17.5 mi (28.2 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3January 3, 1906220NE of Banks PikeUnknown200 yd (180 m)
F3April 5, 1907315N of Luverne Crenshaw7 mi (11 km)Unknown
F4April 24, 190835188 Dora to Warrior to Nectar to Cleveland to Albertville to Powell Walker, Jefferson, Blount, Marshall104.8 mi (168.7 km)500 yd (460 m)
F41150NE of Piedmont Cherokee15.6 mi (25.1 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3April 29, 1908010S to E of Brundidge Coffee, Pike14.6 mi (23.5 km)Unknown
F3February 5, 1909325E of Dodge City to SW of Blountsville Cullman, Blount8.9 mi (14.3 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3February 23, 190911S of Tuscumbia ColbertUnknown100 yd (91 m)
F4April 29, 190929 [note 2] 70W of Ardmore Limestone20.6 mi (33.2 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3March 26, 1911350 Frisco City Clarke, Monroe21.9 mi (35.2 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3March 14, 1912850W of Hartford to Headland Geneva, Dale, Henry30.2 mi (48.6 km)Unknown
F3March 13, 1913410NE of Ohatchee to E of Hokes Bluff Calhoun, Etowah14.8 mi (23.8 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3425 Hokes Bluff Etowah6.8 mi (10.9 km)Unknown
F4March 20, 19132760NE of Grove Hill to S of Yellow Bluff Clarke, Wilcox13.5 mi (21.7 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3February 23, 1917615S to NE of Greensboro Hale, Perry17.5 mi (28.2 km)Unknown
F3950 Stewartville to Midway Coosa, Bullock14.7 mi (23.7 km)600 yd (550 m)
F3March 26, 1917950NW to NE of Troy Crenshaw, Pike24.5 mi (39.4 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3 May 27, 1917 9100 Carbon Hill to N of Jasper Walker17.4 mi (28.0 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3510 Windham Springs Tuscaloosa4.9 mi (7.9 km)500 yd (460 m)
F427100E of Dora to Morris to W of Springville Jefferson, Blount24.7 mi (39.8 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3635 New Hope to E of Woodville Cullman, Marshall, Jackson18.1 mi (29.1 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3January 11, 191810120S of Dothan to Webb Houston13 mi (21 km)200 yd (180 m)
F4March 28, 192026125 Lake Martin Reservoir to E of LaFayette Elmore, Tallapoosa, Chambers50 mi (80 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3110SW of Piedmont Calhoun8.5 mi (13.7 km)100 yd (91 m)
F4 April 20, 1920 88 [note 3] 700W of Hamilton to W of Hackleburg to W of Phil Campbell to Town Creek Marion, Franklin, Colbert, Lawrence129.8 mi (208.9 km)800 yd (730 m)
F42150 Carbon Hill to Arley to West Point Fayette, Walker, Winston, Cullman, Morgan50.7 mi (81.6 km)400 yd (370 m)
F427100S to NE of Huntsville Madison20.3 mi (32.7 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3April 15, 1921550N of Russellville to Littleville to NW of Leighton Franklin, Colbert17.4 mi (28.0 km)Unknown
F3February 4, 192435NE of Hoover Jefferson0.9 mi (1.4 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3April 29, 1924110 Greenville ButlerUnknown100 yd (91 m)
F3620W to NE of Union Springs Bullock, Macon23.1 mi (37.2 km)250 yd (230 m)
F3May 26, 1924117NE of Sipsey Walker2.9 mi (4.7 km)400 yd (370 m)
F380E of Elkmont LimestoneUnknownUnknown
F3May 27, 1924320W of Hamilton Marion29.8 mi (48.0 km)Unknown
F3December 7, 192400S to E of Childersburg Talladega4 mi (6.4 km)50 yd (46 m)

1925–1949

 Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Alabama
Intense (F3+) tornadoes inAlabama, 1925–1949 [13]
F# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
F4October 24, 19251860N of Levurne to N of Eufaula Crenshaw, Pike, Bullock, Barbour65.2 mi (104.9 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3November 25, 1926415SW to NE of Marion Fayette, Marion6.7 mi (10.8 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3March 22, 1929525 Jacksonville Calhoun8.4 mi (13.5 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3January 12, 1932929 Moundville Hale, Tuscaloosa8 mi (13 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3February 21, 193205E of Dothan Houston4.9 mi (7.9 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3 March 21, 1932 39 Demopolis Marengo, Hale7 mi (11 km)125 yd (114 m)
F437200E of Ralph to Tuscaloosa to Northport Tuscaloosa20 mi (32 km)400 yd (370 m)
F31030W of Uniontown to E of Newbern Marengo, Hale, Perry20 mi (32 km)100 yd (91 m)
F431200S of Newbern to S of Marion S of Maplesville to N of Clanton Hale, Perry, Dallas, Chilton, Coosa75.3 mi (121.2 km)800 yd (730 m)
F449150E of Newbern to N of Marion to N of Maplesville to Jemison Perry, Chilton, Bibb, Coosa60 mi (97 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3825N of Addison to SW of Falkville Winston, Cullman, Morgan15.9 mi (25.6 km)200 yd (180 m)
F418100S of Cullman to Fairview to E of Arab Cullman, Morgan, Marshall29.6 mi (47.6 km)600 yd (550 m)
F41475 Columbiana to E of Wilsonville Shelby, Talladega14.9 mi (24.0 km)200 yd (180 m)
F438500 Owens Cross Roads to Paint Rock to NW of Bridgeport Morgan, Madison, Jackson73.3 mi (118.0 km)400 yd (370 m)
F441325 Sylacauga to E of Waldo Talladega, Clay25.1 mi (40.4 km)400 yd (370 m)
F413160NE of Sylacauga to Lineville to N of Woodland Talladega, Clay, Randolph47.5 mi (76.4 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3March 27, 1932520NW of Maplesville to NE of Clanton Bibb, Chilton, Coosa30.1 mi (48.4 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3May 4, 1933427 Demopolis areaChoctaw, Sumter, Marengo, Greene, Hale34.7 mi (55.8 km)400 yd (370 m)
F421200S of Brent to N of Alabaster Bibb, Shelby35 mi (56 km)
F4February 25, 1934440SW to SE of Ashland Clay15.3 mi (24.6 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3January 17, 193648SW of Rainsville DeKalb10.6 mi (17.1 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 5, 1936855N of Red Bay to W of Littleville Franklin, Colbert24.8 mi (39.9 km)Unknown
F3513E of Rogersville to N of Hazel Green Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison50 mi (80 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3December 6, 1936025N of Northport Tuscaloosa14.9 mi (24.0 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 7, 1938951S of Aliceville to SW of Gordo Pickens20.2 mi (32.5 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3April 16, 193912 Boligee Greene1.8 mi (2.9 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3January 13, 1940310E of Montgomery Montgomery3.6 mi (5.8 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3January 1, 194200SW to N of McIntosh Washington15.3 mi (24.6 km)Unknown
F3March 16, 1942230 Waterloo Lauderdale1.8 mi (2.9 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4April 11, 1943460 Hackleburg Marion5.1 mi (8.2 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3214N of Cullman Cullman9.7 mi (15.6 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3March 6, 1944112 Luverne to SW of Troy Crenshaw, Pike18.2 mi (29.3 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 11, 1944220S of Childersburg to SW of Talladega Talladega19.3 mi (31.1 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4 February 12, 1945 1163 York to Livingston Sumter17.9 mi (28.8 km)400 yd (370 m)
F318S of Maplesville Chilton1.8 mi (2.9 km)100 yd (91 m)
F326293 Montgomery Montgomery12.5 mi (20.1 km)100 yd (91 m)
F302 Tuskegee Macon0.9 mi (1.4 km)120 yd (110 m)
F3January 30, 1947330W to N of Georgiana Conecuh, Butler14.6 mi (23.5 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3330SE of Eclectic Elmore5.4 mi (8.7 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3March 26, 1948340 Aliceville Pickens4.5 mi (7.2 km)100 yd (91 m)
F4November 24, 1949444SW of Nectar to NE of Oneonta Blount15.2 mi (24.5 km)100 yd (91 m)

1950–1974

 Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Alabama
Intense (F3+) tornadoes inAlabama, 1950–1974 [13]
F# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
F3April 17, 1950015W to N of Mobile Mobile14 mi (23 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3February 13, 1952114S of Berry Tuscaloosa, Fayette5.6 mi (9.0 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3February 29, 1952012SW of Hammondville DeKalb3.3 mi (5.3 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3March 3, 195206N of Gordo Pickens3.3 mi (5.3 km)440 yd (400 m)
F4March 22, 1952450Decatur to S of HuntsvilleMorgan, Limestone, Madison21.6 mi (34.8 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3January 20, 195300SE of Jasper Walker1.5 mi (2.4 km)50 yd (46 m)
F3January 22, 195301NE of Jackson Washington, Clarke6.5 mi (10.5 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3February 20, 195318S of Tuscumbia Colbert0.1 mi (0.16 km)20 yd (18 m)
F3April 6, 1953012NE of McCalla Jefferson0.5 mi (0.80 km)37 yd (34 m)
F3April 18, 19538 [note 4] 495W of Auburn to Smiths Station Lee39.8 mi (64.1 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4 May 1, 1953 712 Ashland Clay12.1 mi (19.5 km)440 yd (400 m)
F423 Yantley Choctaw0.1 mi (0.16 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3March 13, 1954220E of Seale Russell7 mi (11 km)1480 yd (1350 m)
F3December 5, 1954026Ohatchee to PiedmontCalhoun24.7 mi (39.8 km)100 yd (91 m)
F307N of Opelika Lee51 mi (82 km)200 yd (180 m)
F4April 15, 1956520 Falkville Morgan8.6 mi (13.8 km)200 yd (180 m)
F4April 23, 195625200W to NE of Birmingham Jefferson21.3 mi (34.3 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3May 2, 195602E of Georgiana Butler3.8 mi (6.1 km)83 yd (76 m)
F3April 8, 195700S of Hamilton to N of AddisonMarion, Winston, Lawrence51.4 mi (82.7 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3290SW of Falkville to NW of Guntersville Morgan, Marshall38.8 mi (62.4 km)200 yd (180 m)
F300W to NE of Arab Cullman, Marshall16.3 mi (26.2 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F4November 17, 1957415N of Jasper Walker7.2 mi (11.6 km)200 yd (180 m)
F4November 18, 1957312 Rosa to Snead to Albertville Blount, Marshall26.1 mi (42.0 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 5, 195801 Albertville to Section Marshall, Jackson25.7 mi (41.4 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3May 12, 195905 Bessemer to Fairfield Jefferson8.6 mi (13.8 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3March 7, 196101N of Fayette to W of Carbon Hill Fayette, Walker19.3 mi (31.1 km)200 yd (180 m)
F308W of Fairview to N of Arab Cullman, Morgan, Marshall19.3 mi (31.1 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3March 31, 196107S of Girard Russell8.2 mi (13.2 km)167 yd (153 m)
F3December 10, 196101NE of Brewton Escambia0.2 mi (0.32 km)33 yd (30 m)
F3December 11, 196102W to NE of Marion Perry9.4 mi (15.1 km)100 yd (91 m)
F300 Jacksonville Calhoun3.3 mi (5.3 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3March 20, 1962010 Weaver Calhoun2.3 mi (3.7 km)250 yd (230 m)
F4March 5, 1963035S of Bessemer to E of Homewood Jefferson14.9 mi (24.0 km)667 yd (610 m)
F4March 11, 196326W of Hayden to E of Holly Pond Blount, Cullman28 mi (45 km)880 yd (800 m)
F3March 17, 196304E of Brent Bibb2.7 mi (4.3 km)100 yd (91 m)
F4January 24, 1964106SE of Harpersville Shelby3.3 mi (5.3 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3March 9, 196401E of Russellville to E of Littleville Franklin, Colbert10.4 mi (16.7 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F322NW of Rogersville Lauderdale5.2 mi (8.4 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F3March 25, 196407 Addison Winston5.4 mi (8.7 km)267 yd (244 m)
F3April 28, 196401S of Lincoln Talladega0.1 mi (0.16 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F302E of Fruithurst Cleburne10.6 mi (17.1 km)33 yd (30 m)
F3February 11, 1965018SE of Pickensville Pickens1.5 mi (2.4 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3March 17, 1965022 Muscle Shoals to Anderson Colbert, Lauderdale, Limestone29.8 mi (48.0 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F3April 15, 196502NE of Henagar Jackson, DeKalb9.6 mi (15.4 km)50 yd (46 m)
F5 March 3, 1966 58 [note 5] 518 Geiger to N of Tuscaloosa Pickens, Tuscaloosa202.5 mi (325.9 km)900 yd (820 m)
F4March 6, 1967225S of Cordova to Kimberly Walker, Jefferson20.9 mi (33.6 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3May 6, 1967125 Homewood Jefferson4.3 mi (6.9 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3October 24, 196703 Leighton Colbert, Lawrence15 mi (24 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F301 Florence Lauderdale11.9 mi (19.2 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3December 18, 196700W of Demopolis Marengo7.6 mi (12.2 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F3November 3, 1968018 Saraland to Atmore to Brewton Mobile, Escambia70.4 mi (113.3 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3November 17, 1968124S of Thorsby to S of Rockford Coosa32.3 mi (52.0 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4April 17, 1969214 Greenville to NW of Union Springs Butler, Crenshaw, Montgomery, Bullock52.4 mi (84.3 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3March 19, 1970214S of Lanett Chambers2 mi (3.2 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3February 4, 1971113S of Hamilton to E of Phil Campbell Marion, Franklin34.1 mi (54.9 km)750 yd (690 m)
F3February 26, 197100S of Eutaw Greene4.3 mi (6.9 km)50 yd (46 m)
F3March 2, 197100 Thomasville Clarke4.9 mi (7.9 km)100 yd (91 m)
F300SW of Brundidge to N of Clio Pike, Barbour23.8 mi (38.3 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F300 Brundidge Pike2 mi (3.2 km)10 yd (9.1 m)
F4April 3, 197100E of Monroeville to E of Beatrice Monroe25.4 mi (40.9 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3September 16, 197100W of Elba Coffee0.3 mi (0.48 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3December 19, 197100SW of Frisco City Monroe1 mi (1.6 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3January 12, 197202W of Abbeville to SE of Clayton Henry, Barbour16.8 mi (27.0 km)200 yd (180 m)
F4May 19, 1973019E of Rainsville DeKalb5.4 mi (8.7 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4May 27, 19737199NE of Demopolis to Greensboro to Brent to Childersburg to W of Ranburne Hale, Perry, Bibb, Shelby, Talladega, Clay, Cleburne139.1 mi (223.9 km) [note 6] 800 yd (730 m)
F3144E of Birmingham to Steele Jefferson, St. Clair, Etowah41.6 mi (66.9 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3November 27, 1973042 Huntsville Madison14.1 mi (22.7 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3December 29, 1973011 Enterprise to N of Daleville Coffee, Dale11.6 mi (18.7 km)67 yd (61 m)
F302 Headland to SE of Abbeville Henry15 mi (24 km)70 yd (64 m)
F3December 30, 1973014 Ozark Dale1.5 mi (2.4 km)120 yd (110 m)
F3January 26, 197417S to E of Wedowee Randolph21.3 mi (34.3 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3January 27, 197400 Fayette Fayette0.8 mi (1.3 km)50 yd (46 m)
F3 April 3, 1974 16 Huntsville Madison8.4 mi (13.5 km)800 yd (730 m)
F528267 W of Moulton to Tanner to E of Athens Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone, Madison52 mi (84 km)500 yd (460 m)
F43178 Carrollton to Concord to Jasper to Cullman Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Walker, Cullman110.6 mi (178.0 km)500 yd (460 m)
F309S to E of Centre Cherokee20.9 mi (33.6 km)100 yd (91 m)
F516190 Tanner to N of Hazel Green Limestone, Madison83.3 mi (134.1 km)500 yd (460 m)
F528272 N of Vernon to Guin to Brilliant to SE of Decatur Lamar, Fayette, Marion, Winston, Lawrence, Morgan79.5 mi (127.9 km)500 yd (460 m)
F327SE of Decatur to SE of Huntsville to N of Skyline Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Jackson46.5 mi (74.8 km)700 yd (640 m)
F3December 19, 197401N of Troy Pike0.5 mi (0.80 km)100 yd (91 m)
F300SE to E of Troy Pike11.3 mi (18.2 km)300 yd (270 m)

1975–1999

 Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Alabama
Intense (F3+) tornadoes inAlabama, 1975–1999 [13]
F# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
F3January 10, 1975160 Pell City to Ragland St. Clair, Talladega18.8 mi (30.3 km)150 yd (140 m)
F4February 23, 1975149S to NE of Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa14.4 mi (23.2 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3March 12, 197604NE of Selma Dallas, Autaugua16.5 mi (26.6 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3015 Eclectic Elmore4.9 mi (7.9 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3March 20, 1976017SW of Fairview to Baileyton Cullman9.3 mi (15.0 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3011 Cleveland to E of Snead Blount19.2 mi (30.9 km)40 yd (37 m)
F3March 30, 197702 Geraldine DeKalb9.2 mi (14.8 km)50 yd (46 m)
F5 April 4, 1977 22130 McDonald Chapel to S of Fultondale to S of Center Point Jefferson14.7 mi (23.7 km)550 yd (500 m)
F310 Ashville to SE of Steele St. Clair7.3 mi (11.7 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3April 18, 1978030W to N of Monroeville Monroe10.5 mi (16.9 km)220 yd (200 m)
F3November 25, 1979020E of Montgomery to S of Wetumpka Montgomery, Elmore10.2 mi (16.4 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3March 31, 1981223E of Hurtsboro Russell0.1 mi (0.16 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 24, 198200 Dauphin Island Mobile1.5 mi (2.4 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3April 26, 198200SW to SE of Guin Lamar, Marion12 mi (19 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3May 15, 198301 New Brockton Coffee1.5 mi (2.4 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3May 19, 198303NE of Fort Payne DeKalb1.2 mi (1.9 km)473 yd (433 m)
F3November 14, 1983019S to NE of Cullman Cullman17 mi (27 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3December 3, 1983251 Oxford Calhoun, Talladega4 mi (6.4 km)150 yd (140 m)
F3December 5, 1983119W to NE of Selma Dallas, Autaugua13 mi (21 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3March 24, 198400 Jackson Clarke4 mi (6.4 km)60 yd (55 m)
F3May 3, 1984537W to NW of Montgomery Autaugua, Elmore7 mi (11 km)800 yd (730 m)
F3April 5, 198500N of Fairview Cullman3 mi (4.8 km)100 yd (91 m)
F305N of Douglas to Albertville Marshall8 mi (13 km)277 yd (253 m)
F301 Sardis City Etowah8 mi (13 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3August 16, 198506SE of Cullman to E of Somerville Cullman, Morgan32 mi (51 km)100 yd (91 m)
F302W of Hartselle to E of Lester Morgan, Limestone45 mi (72 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3March 12, 198620W of Carrollton Pickens16 mi (26 km)700 yd (640 m)
F300E of Millport Lamar6 mi (9.7 km)500 yd (460 m)
F300W of Winfield Marion2.5 mi (4.0 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3November 25, 198604 New Brockton to Ariton to Clayton Coffee, Dale, Barbour44 mi (71 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3January 19, 1988035 Cullman Cullman 10 mi (16 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3November 4, 198800W of Waterloo Lauderdale 7 mi (11 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3016N of Red Bay to Leighton to N of Town Creek Franklin, Colbert, Lawrence60 mi (97 km)200 yd (180 m)
F300W of Millry Washington8 mi (13 km)200 yd (180 m)
F3November 19, 198808 Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa 0.5 mi (0.80 km)400 yd (370 m)
F4 November 15, 1989 21463S to E of Huntsville Madison18.5 mi (29.8 km)880 yd (800 m)
F3March 9, 199227E of Forkland to S of Greensboro Greene, Hale18 mi (29 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3February 21, 199305N of Piedmont Cherokee39 mi (63 km)100 yd (91 m)
F3 March 27, 1994 020 Fyffe DeKalb23 mi (37 km)700 yd (640 m)
F422150S of Ragland to Piedmont St. Clair, Etowah, Cherokee50 mi (80 km)880 yd (800 m)
F3June 26, 1994022S of Lexington Lauderdale38 mi (61 km)880 yd (800 m)
F300NW of Athens Limestone3 mi (4.8 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3February 15, 19956130S of Arab Cullman, Blount, Marshall14 mi (23 km)703 yd (643 m)
F4May 18, 1995155N of Athens to N of Huntsville Limestone, Madison, Jackson39 mi (63 km)1300 yd (1200 m)
F3March 5, 1996440W to N of Selma Dallas19 mi (31 km)400 yd (370 m)
F3March 18, 199600 Lake Martin Reservoir Elmore, Tallapoosa24 mi (39 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3November 21, 199700 Saraland Mobile1 mi (1.6 km)300 yd (270 m)
F3 April 8, 1998 01S of Gordo to NE of Coker Pickens, Tuscaloosa19.5 mi (31.4 km)300 yd (270 m)
F532259 Bull City to W of Birmingham Tuscaloosa, Jefferson30.3 mi (48.8 km)1320 yd (1210 m)

2000–2006

Intense (F3+) tornadoes inAlabama, 2000–2006 [13]
F# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
F4December 16, 200011144S of Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa18 mi (29 km)750 yd (690 m)
F3014NE of Gadsden to SW of Centre Etowah, Cherokee12.8 mi (20.6 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3October 13, 200100N of Foley Baldwin1 mi (1.6 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3November 24, 200121 Kennedy to Fayette to Carbon Hill Lamar, Fayette, Walker38.9 mi (62.6 km)300 yd (270 m)
F4022E of Oneonta Blount, Etowah10.1 mi (16.3 km)500 yd (460 m)
F3 November 10, 2002 055W of Millport Pickens, Lamar29.2 mi (47.0 km)440 yd (400 m)
F3438N of Fayette to Carbon Hill to S of Arley Fayette, Walker, Winston44.3 mi (71.3 km)1175 yd (1074 m)
F3753N of Fayette to E Carbon Hill to Holly Pond Fayette, Walker, Winston, Cullman72.6 mi (116.8 km)1175 yd (1074 m)

2007–present

 Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Alabama
Intense (EF3+) tornadoes in Alabama, 2007–present [13]
EF# DateDeathsInjuriesLocationCountiesPath lengthMax width
EF4 March 1, 2007 12N of Camden Wilcox, Dallas18.3 mi (29.5 km)500 yd (460 m)
EF4950 Enterprise Coffee10.3 mi (16.6 km)500 yd (460 m)
EF3 January 10, 2008 011W of Vernon Lamar13.2 mi (21.2 km)2500 yd (2300 m)
EF300 Windham Springs Tuscaloosa5.6 mi (9.0 km)350 yd (320 m)
EF4 February 5, 2008 423S to E of Moulton Lawrence, Morgan16.7 mi (26.9 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF4112E of Pisgah to S of Flat Rock Jackson10.9 mi (17.5 km)660 yd (600 m)
EF3February 17, 2008050 Prattville to S of Deatsville Autauga, Elmore14.7 mi (23.7 km)440 yd (400 m)
EF3 April 10, 2009 05S of Grant to N of Rainsville Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb32.5 mi (52.3 km)440 yd (400 m)
EF3 April 24, 2010 00 Cordova to N of Warrior Walker, Jefferson, Blount29.6 mi (47.6 km)400 yd (370 m)
EF3045 Albertville to Geraldine Blount, Marshall, DeKalb39.8 mi (64.1 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF405S of Crossville to N of Powell DeKalb16.6 mi (26.7 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF3 April 15, 2011 00N of Moundville to Tuscaloosa Greene, Tuscaloosa18.4 mi (29.6 km)500 yd (460 m)
EF314W of Linden Marengo15.3 mi (24.6 km)800 yd (730 m)
EF334W of Deatsville Autaugua9.3 mi (15.0 km)400 yd (370 m)
EF305S of Geiger Sumter48.5 mi (78.1 km)1760 yd (1610 m)
EF3 April 27, 2011 00S to E of Gordo Pickens, Tuscaloosa22.5 mi (36.2 km)704 yd (644 m)
EF300N of Coaling to E of Lake View Tuscaloosa, Jefferson20.3 mi (32.7 km)200 yd (180 m)
EF3020 Cordova Walker18.9 mi (30.4 km)375 yd (343 m)
EF4648 Cullman to N of Arab Cullman, Morgan, Marshall46.9 mi (75.5 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF571 [note 7] 145 Hackleburg to Phil Campbell to Harvest Marion, Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone, Madison102 mi (164 km)2200 yd (2000 m)
EF41354 Reform to Cordova to NE of Blountsville Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Walker, Cullman, Blount127.8 mi (205.7 km)1408 yd (1287 m)
EF523 [note 8] 137 SE of Shottsville Marion37.1 mi (59.7 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF302NW to NE of Geiger Sumter, Pickens23.7 mi (38.1 km)1056 yd (966 m)
EF41550 SW of Pisgah to Flat Rock Jackson, DeKalb47 mi (76 km)1260 yd (1150 m)
EF4641500 Tuscaloosa to N of Birmingham Greene, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson80.7 mi (129.9 km)2600 yd (2400 m)
EF410 Fackler to NE of Bridgeport Jackson30.2 mi (48.6 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF3025S of Hamilton to Haleyville Marion, Winston80.7 mi (129.9 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF3750 W of Forkland to Eoline Hale, Greene, Bibb72.1 mi (116.0 km)1760 yd (1610 m)
EF4717 Yantley to N of Uniontown Choctaw, Sumter, Marengo, Hale, Perry122 mi (196 km)1050 yd (960 m)
EF300S of Winfield Fayette8 mi (13 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF5250 Lakeview to Rainsville to S of Shiloh DeKalb37.2 mi (59.9 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF42285 W of Margaret to SE of Forney Jefferson, St. Clair, Calhoun, Etowah, Cherokee97.3 mi (156.6 km)1760 yd (1610 m)
EF4730 Lake Martin Reservoir Elmore, Tallapoosa, Chambers44.2 mi (71.1 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF3January 22, 2012175 Center Point to Clay Jefferson, St. Clair15.7 mi (25.3 km)800 yd (730 m)
EF3 March 2, 2012 00S of Athens to N of New Market Limestone, Madison44.2 mi (71.1 km)250 yd (230 m)
EF3April 11, 201319N of Pickensville Pickens66.3 mi (106.7 km)1320 yd (1210 m)
EF3 April 28, 2014 230W to N of Athens Limestone15.6 mi (25.1 km)600 yd (550 m)
EF300E of Cullman Cullman8.9 mi (14.3 km)350 yd (320 m)
EF300E of Boaz Etowah, DeKalb11.7 mi (18.8 km)600 yd (550 m)
EF3013 Smiths Station Russell, Lee11.4 mi (18.3 km)1200 yd (1100 m)
EF3February 15, 201603W of Pollard Escambia16.4 mi (26.4 km)300 yd (270 m)
EF3November 29, 201600S of Decatur Morgan6.2 mi (10.0 km)175 yd (160 m)
EF349E of Pisgah to N of Ider Jackson, DeKalb13.5 mi (21.7 km)206 yd (188 m)
EF3March 19, 201804 Jacksonville to N of Fruithurst Calhoun, Cleburne35 mi (56 km)2175 yd (1989 m)
EF4March 3, 20192390 E of Tuskegee to Smiths Station Macon, Russell68 mi (109 km)1600 yd (1500 m)
EF3December 16, 201902W of Lisman Choctaw61.2 mi (98.5 km)350 yd (320 m)
EF3January 25, 2021130 Fultondale to Center Point Jefferson10.4 mi (16.7 km)900 yd (820 m)
EF3 March 25, 2021 00E of Moundville Hale, Tuscaloosa11.1 mi (17.9 km)1400 yd (1300 m)
EF3013N of Greensboro to S of CaleraHale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby79.7 mi (128.3 km)2300 yd (2100 m)
EF305N of West Blocton to S of Leeds Bibb, Shelby, St. Clair50.1 mi (80.6 km)1140 yd (1040 m)
EF3610E of Ragland to N of Piedmont Calhoun, Cherokee38.2 mi (61.5 km)1700 yd (1600 m)
EF3March 30, 202202S to NE of BrentPerry, Bibb, Shelby29.2 mi (47.0 km)1200 yd (1100 m)
EF3 January 12, 2023 716W of Deatsville to N of LaFayette Autauga, Elmore, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers82.3 mi (132.4 km)1500 yd (1400 m)
EF3 March 31, 2023 15N of New Market Madison12 mi (19 km)215 yd (197 m)
EF3 May 8, 2024 00W of AthensLawrence, Limestone3.8 mi (6.1 km)230 yd (210 m)
EF307W to E of HenagarJackson, DeKalb12.4 mi (20.0 km)880 yd (800 m)
EF3 March 15, 2025 22S of Plantersville to W of Clanton Dallas, Chilton24.3 mi (39.1 km)1000 yd (910 m)
EF300SE of Alexander City to Daviston Tallapoosa20.4 mi (32.8 km)800 yd (730 m)

See also

Notes

  1. Official ratings were assigned after 1950. [2] Prior to that, ratings are assigned by tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis. [3]
  2. The majority of fatalities and injuries occurred in Giles County, Tennessee.
  3. While the tornado is the deadliest to move through any part of Alabama, around 35 of the deaths occurred in Mississippi and as such it is not considered the deadliest in state history.
  4. Most deaths and damage occurred when the tornado struck the northern suburbs of Columbus, Georgia.
  5. The majority of fatalities and injuries occurred when the tornado moved through Jackson, Mississippi.
  6. As of 2025, this is the longest-tracked tornado to remain fully in Alabama.
  7. As of 2025, this tornado is the deadliest in Alabama history.
  8. The majority of fatalities and injuries occurred when the tornado struck the town of Smithville, Mississippi at EF5 intensity; the tornado was only at EF3-maximum intensity during the Alabama portion of its track

References

  1. Dozier, Danielle (April 25, 2024). "Alabama tornado count lower than last year to date". WHNT . Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  2. McCarthy, Daniel. "NWS Tornado Surveys and the Impact on the National Tornado" (PDF). www.spc.noaa.gov.
  3. Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN   978-1-879362-03-1.
  4. Morgan, Leigh (April 27, 2024). "Remembering the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak in Alabama". The Birmingham News . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  5. Chiu, Cindy H.; Schnall, Amy H.; Mertzlufft, Caitlin E.; Noe, Rebecca S.; Wolkin, Amy F.; Spears, Jeanne; Casey-Lockyer, Mary; Vagi, Sara J. "Mortality from a tornado outbreak, Alabama, April 27, 2011". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (8): e52–58. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301291. ISSN   1541-0048. PMC   4007884 . PMID   23763401.
  6. Cox, John D. (April 27, 2010). "Redefining Tornado Alleys". Discovery Channel. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  7. Dixon, P. Grady; A. E. Mercer; J. Choi; J. S. Allen (2011). "Tornado Risk Analysis: Is Dixie Alley an Extension of Tornado Alley?". Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 92 (4): 433–441. Bibcode:2011BAMS...92..433D. doi: 10.1175/2010BAMS3102.1 .
  8. Gagan, John P.; A. Gerard; J. Gordon (2010). "A Historical and Statistical Comparison of "Tornado Alley" to "Dixie Alley"" (PDF). NWA Digest. 13 (2): 145–155.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Hayes, John L. (March 2009). "Service Assessment on the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008" (PDF). NOAA . Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Safety Helmets: A Practical, Inexpensive Solution for Reducing the Risk of Head Injuries Resulting from Tornadoes". University of Alabama Birmingham. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  11. Saslow, Rachel (April 28, 2011). "Tornado season is at its height in 'Dixie Alley'". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  12. 1 2 Hayes, John L. (March 2009). "Service Assessment on the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008" (PDF). NOAA . Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tornado Paths". Storm Prediction Center . Retrieved August 23, 2025.