NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Columbia, AL
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
52 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Columbia, Alabama since 1851, 8 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Fred in 2021. Since 1950, 141 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 8
- Tropical storms
- 44
- Tornadoes
- 141
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
7 deaths in all
What the records show for Columbia
The strongest storm to pass near Columbia was Michael in 2018, a Category 3 hurricane with 110 mph winds when its centre passed 26 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1856, whose centre came within 25 miles. The record near Columbia begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Fred in 2021, a tropical storm 15 miles away. The 1880s and the 1900s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 52 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Columbia has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 80% of the 323 Alabama cities on this site. The highest rating among the 141 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on March 22, 2005, came within 22 miles. The deadliest, an F1 on January 13, 2005, killed 2 people. Of the 141, 3 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 83 have come since 2000. January has had the most tornadoes, 27. The most recent tornado was on April 7, 2025. Columbia has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 58% of the 323 Alabama cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 15 times since 1971, with stones up to 2.75 inches (baseball size). Of the 323 Alabama cities, 97% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Columbia.
Compare Columbia's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Columbia
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FredAug 17 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 19 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 10 | 26 mi | Category 3 (110 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2017 | IrmaSep 11 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2008 | FayAug 23 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | JeanneSep 27 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2004 | FrancesSep 7 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1994 | BerylAug 16 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 57 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1975 | EloiseSep 23 | 55 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 20 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | DoraSep 12 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 27 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1950 | KingOct 19 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormOct 16 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 7 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 31 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 14 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 10 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormJul 29 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 29 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 4 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 17 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJul 16 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 28 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormJun 13 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 14 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 28 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 17 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 2 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 3 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 7 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 50 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 23 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 20 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormJul 27 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 31 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 10 | 28 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormAug 28 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | 57 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 20 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1875 | Unnamed 1875 stormSep 27 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 26 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 13 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 25 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 31 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Columbia: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia
By decade
- 2020s33
- 2010s30
- 2000s20(1 EF3+)
- 1990s13
- 1980s13
- 1970s14(2 EF3+)
- 1960s7
- 1950s11
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2005 | F3 | 22 mi | 18 mi | 1 / 18 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | F3 | 10 mi | 15 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Jan 13, 1972 | F3 | 25 mi | 16.8 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 9 mi | 34.76 mi | 1 / 10 |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF2 | 9 mi | 5.18 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Nov 5, 2002 | F2 | 20 mi | 6 mi | 1 / 20 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 25 mi | 21.73 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 14, 2023 | EF2 | 12 mi | 18.88 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 22, 2017 | EF2 | 24 mi | 12.03 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 15 mi | 10.87 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 8 mi | 4.34 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 18 mi | 7.82 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 141, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Columbia
The Storm Prediction Center has 15 hail reports within 10 miles of Columbia since 1971, made on 14 separate days. Of these, 9 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.75 inches (baseball size), fell on June 14, 2023, the most recent report. April has the most reports, 5.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Columbia
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Headland, AL, 12 miles west of Columbia at 370 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 61°F and 38°F. July is the wettest at 6.7 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.2 inches; the year adds up to 56.9 inches over 77 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 50% of the year's precipitation (28.7 of 56.9 inches). September has brought the most of the 52 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (19); a normal September there has highs of 89°F and 4.6 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 90 days a year, almost all from May to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 33 nights a year. That 56.9 inches is more than at 46 of the 107 Alabama stations used on this site (43%). Dothan, 18 miles southwest, has its own station (Dothan Regional Airport, AL): 54.0 inches a year, 2.9 less than here, and the same July average high, 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61 | 38 | 4.8 | 7 |
| Feb | 65 | 41 | 5.2 | 6 |
| Mar | 72 | 47 | 4.8 | 7 |
| Apr | 79 | 54 | 4.6 | 5 |
| May | 87 | 63 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Jun | 91 | 69 | 5.2 | 8 |
| Jul | 93 | 72 | 6.7 | 10 |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 5.1 | 8 |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 4.6 | 5 |
| Oct | 80 | 56 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Nov | 70 | 47 | 3.9 | 5 |
| Dec | 63 | 41 | 5.1 | 6 |
| Year | 78 | 55 | 56.9 | 77 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Headland, AL (370 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Columbia
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 113 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Columbia: 95 thunderstorm wind reports, 14 flash floods, 2 floods, 1 heavy rain event and 1 lightning strike. They killed 1 person and injured 0, and the NWS estimated $2.0 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 86 mph, on January 9, 2024. February has had the most flash floods, 5 of 14. Of the 321 Alabama cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 170 have had fewer than Columbia.
June 7, 2013: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Columbia — 1 killed.
NWS: “A 49 year old male was killed when an inflatable that looked like a castle came loose from its moorings during at thunderstorm and a pipe struck him in the head. There was no other damage reported in the immediate vicinity, so it was likely that this was associated with sub-severe wind speeds.”
December 24, 2015: flood 3 miles from the centre of Columbia — $891,000 damage.
NWS: “Significant river flooding along the Chattahoochee River and heavy rainfall in the county resulted in flood damages estimated at $891,000 in Houston county.”
April 30, 2014: flood 3 miles from the centre of Columbia — $818,000 damage.
NWS: “Persistent moderate to heavy rain falling on saturated ground from previous heavy rain during the month led to numerous flooded roads across the county. Most of the damage was caused by dirt road washouts and cross-drain wash outs.”
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Columbia's ZIP code 36319 have filed 31 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1990, and were paid $919,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from Flooding in 1998: 13 claims (42% of all) and $215,000, then Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994 with 10. 87% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 118 Alabama cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 49 have fewer than Columbia.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding1998 | 13 | $215,000 |
| Tropical Storm Alberto1994 | 10 | $522,000 |
Henry County, which includes Columbia, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1975, 17 of them major disasters (by incident: 13 severe storms, 11 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 1 drought). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, on July 10, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Henry County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning; Relatively Low for hail, inland flooding, strong wind and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $8.5 million a year, the 53rd highest of 67 Alabama counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $3.0 million (35%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Columbia
- Ashford, AL11 mi
- Headland, AL11 mi
- Cowarts, AL12 mi
- Blakely, GA12 mi
- Dothan, AL18 mi
- Abbeville, AL20 mi
- Midland City, AL20 mi
- Cottonwood, AL21 mi
- Malone, FL24 mi
- Donalsonville, GA25 mi
- Newton, AL28 mi
- Slocomb, AL28 mi
All Alabama cities →All hurricanes since 1851 →Compare Columbia with another place →