Pickens County, Alabama tornadoes

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55confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: March 15, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 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 Pickens County

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The record

At a glance

Total551950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthApril15 of 55
StrongestF5Mar 3, 1966
Deaths83whole paths, see note
Injuries818whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 4Feb: 6Mar: 13Apr: 15May: 5Jun: 0Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 7Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 15 of 55 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 4: 0: 06 AM: 0: 2: 09 AM: 0: 3: 112 PM: 1: 3: 83 PM: 6: 4: 66 PM: 6: 5: 29 PM: 1: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 02000: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 4: 0: 0: 2: 22010: 0: 5: 0: 1: 1: 0: 6: 1: 0: 12020: 3: 1: 1: 0: 0: 319501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
15
EF1
18
EF2
11
EF3
8
EF4
2
EF5
1

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

F5, March 3, 1966

58 deaths, 518 injuries Strongest

F5, March 3, 1966

202.5 mile path Longest path

202.5 miles, F5

March 3, 1966, whole path Widest

1,410 yards, EF2

April 27, 2011
Every tornado

All 55 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 15, 2025EF221.56 mi950 yd00
Mar 15, 2025EF126.46 mi1,200 yd00
Jan 5, 2025EF16.94 mi300 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF116.59 mi450 yd00
Mar 25, 2021EF16.6 mi515 yd00
Apr 12, 2020EF05.45 mi300 yd00
Apr 12, 2020EF01.51 mi200 yd00
Jan 11, 2020EF26.33 mi1,056 yd37
Feb 23, 2019EF01.08 mi200 yd00
Aug 31, 2017EF231.24 mi600 yd06
Nov 29, 2016EF15.3 mi600 yd00
Mar 31, 2016EF12.88 mi350 yd00
Mar 31, 2016EF17.78 mi600 yd00
Feb 23, 2016EF04.8 mi150 yd00
Feb 2, 2016EF04.18 mi1,400 yd00
Feb 2, 2016EF226.2 mi1,200 yd01
Apr 28, 2014EF214.27 mi500 yd05
Apr 11, 2013EF366.35 mi1,320 yd19
Apr 27, 2011EF323.74 mi1,056 yd02
Apr 27, 2011EF4127.8 mi1,408 yd1354
Apr 27, 2011EF322.46 mi704 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF214.36 mi1,232 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF235.16 mi1,410 yd00
May 6, 2009EF11.34 mi100 yd00
May 6, 2009EF11 mi300 yd00
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.