State history
Tornadoes in Alabama
Alabama averages 47 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 47 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: March-April, secondary Nov.
- Population and vulnerability considerations.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1932 Deep South Outbreak impact — hundreds dead.
- 1974 Super Outbreak impact — massive AL devastation.
- 1998 Birmingham F5 — 32 dead.
- 2011 April 27 Super Outbreak — 250+ dead in AL alone.
- 2011 Tuscaloosa-Birmingham EF4 — 65 dead across region.
- 2011 Hackleburg EF5 — 43 dead.
- 2011 Rainsville EF5 — multiple dead.
- 2019 March 3 Beauregard EF4 — 23 dead.
- 2024 outbreaks — continued activity.
Major cities
Birmingham metro
1M+. Multiple historic events.
Huntsville metro
500k+. Multiple events.
Mobile
190k. Coastal.
Tuscaloosa
100k. 2011 legacy.
Montgomery
200k. Capital.
Hackleburg
1k. 2011 EF5.
Beauregard
Rural. 2019 event.
NWS coverage
NWS Birmingham
Central AL.
NWS Huntsville
N AL.
NWS Mobile
S AL.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Multi-state coordination.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Community involvement.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
Vulnerabilities
- Population distribution.
- Building code enforcement.
- Mobile home density in specific areas.
- Community shelter access.
- Rural coverage gaps.
- Historical vulnerabilities.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.