Houston County, Alabama tornadoes

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60confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: March 31, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 5 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Houston County

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The record

At a glance

Total601950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthFebruary9 of 60
StrongestEF2Jan 9, 2024
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries39whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Houston County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 7Feb: 9Mar: 9Apr: 8May: 5Jun: 2Jul: 2Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 6Nov: 4Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

February is the peak month, with 9 of 60 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 2: 3: 26 AM: 3: 2: 49 AM: 3: 3: 412 PM: 4: 2: 43 PM: 1: 4: 56 PM: 1: 2: 29 PM: 0: 6: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 10:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 01960: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 2: 1: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 31990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 3: 2: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 4: 2: 2: 22020: 1: 5: 2: 2: 3: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 5 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
21
EF1
30
EF2
9

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

EF2, January 9, 2024

1 deaths, 10 injuries Strongest

EF2, January 9, 2024

34.76 mile path Longest path

38.71 miles, EF1

April 19, 2015, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF2

January 9, 2024
Every tornado

All 60 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 31, 2025EF13.09 mi200 yd05
May 10, 2024EF04.43 mi125 yd00
Jan 9, 2024EF234.76 mi1,000 yd110
Jan 9, 2024EF11.2 mi225 yd00
Apr 3, 2023EF11.6 mi105 yd00
Mar 25, 2023EF04.46 mi50 yd00
Apr 5, 2022EF00.07 mi25 yd00
Apr 5, 2022EF06.84 mi200 yd00
Aug 31, 2021EF02.29 mi25 yd00
Aug 31, 2021EF00.89 mi20 yd00
Apr 24, 2021EF00.42 mi100 yd00
Mar 18, 2021EF02.08 mi50 yd00
Mar 18, 2021EF15.24 mi150 yd01
Apr 19, 2020EF10.71 mi50 yd00
Dec 17, 2019EF00.14 mi25 yd00
May 12, 2019EF00.92 mi100 yd00
Dec 2, 2018EF01.03 mi75 yd00
Feb 11, 2018EF011.21 mi25 yd00
Jan 2, 2017EF12.52 mi200 yd00
Jan 2, 2017EF27.82 mi500 yd00
Feb 23, 2016EF13.66 mi900 yd00
Feb 23, 2016EF11.63 mi350 yd00
Feb 23, 2016EF14.83 mi200 yd00
Feb 23, 2016EF02.76 mi200 yd00
Apr 19, 2015EF138.71 mi500 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 25, 20262 NNE SmyrnaNot yet rated
May 25, 20261 ENE SmyrnaNot yet rated
Mar 11, 20262 N PearceNot yet rated
Jan 25, 20262 ESE MadridNot yet rated
Jan 25, 2026Pleasant PlainsNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.