NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Cottonwood, 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
58 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Cottonwood, Alabama since 1851, 11 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Fred in 2021. Since 1950, 152 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 11
- Tropical storms
- 47
- Tornadoes
- 152
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
6 deaths in all
What the records show for Cottonwood
The strongest storm to pass near Cottonwood was Michael in 2018, a Category 3 hurricane with 123 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 19 miles. The record near Cottonwood begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Fred in 2021, a tropical storm 5 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 8 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 58 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Cottonwood has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 85% of the 323 Alabama cities on this site. The highest rating among the 152 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on March 31, 2022, came within 21 miles. Of the 152, 7 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 79 have come since 2000. March and April have had the most tornadoes, 25 each. The most recent tornado was on May 10, 2025. Cottonwood has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 66% of the 323 Alabama cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 22 times since 1971, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 323 Alabama cities, 90% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Cottonwood.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Cottonwood
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FredAug 17 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 19 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 10 | 26 mi | Category 3 (123 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | AlbertoMay 28 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | FayAug 23 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | FrancesSep 7 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2001 | BarryAug 6 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1994 | BerylAug 16 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1994 | AlbertoJul 3 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 51 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1975 | EloiseSep 23 | 48 mi | Category 2 (109 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 20 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | BeckyJul 22 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | DoraSep 11 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | DebbieSep 8 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 27 | overhead | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1953 | AliceJun 6 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1950 | KingOct 19 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 7 | 58 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 31 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 14 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 10 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 29 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 4 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 17 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJul 16 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 28 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormJun 13 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 14 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 28 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 17 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 2 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 3 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 7 | 24 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 41 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 23 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 20 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormJul 27 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 30 | 70 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 21 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 31 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 10 | 34 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormAug 31 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 10 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | 50 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 20 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1875 | Unnamed 1875 stormSep 27 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 26 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1868 | Unnamed 1868 stormOct 4 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 13 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 19 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 26 mi | Category 2 (101 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Cottonwood: 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 Cottonwood
By decade
- 2020s32(1 EF3+)
- 2010s31
- 2000s16(1 EF3+)
- 1990s17
- 1980s21
- 1970s19(1 EF3+)
- 1960s7
- 1950s9
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF3 | 21 mi | 12.14 mi | 2 / 1 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | F3 | 23 mi | 18 mi | 1 / 18 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | F3 | 21 mi | 15 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | in town | 34.76 mi | 1 / 10 |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF2 | 24 mi | 5.18 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Jun 25, 1972 | F2 | 18 mi | 0.5 mi | 1 / 2 |
| May 10, 2025 | EF2 | 17 mi | 15.48 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 16 mi | 16.33 mi | 0 / 7 |
| Apr 23, 2020 | EF2 | 22 mi | 17.24 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 24 mi | 4.34 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 8 mi | 7.82 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | F2 | 9 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 4 |
The strongest 12 of 152, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Cottonwood
The Storm Prediction Center has 22 hail reports within 10 miles of Cottonwood since 1971, made on 19 separate days. Of these, 8 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on February 7, 1971. The most recent report is from April 27, 2025. June has the most reports, 5.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Cottonwood
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Marianna Municipal Airport, FL, 17 miles southeast of Cottonwood at 113 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 92°F and low of 73°F; January is the coolest, at 63°F and 41°F. June and July are the wettest at 5.1 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.1 inches; the year adds up to 51.2 inches over 69 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 51% of the year's precipitation (26.0 of 51.2 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 58 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (19); a normal September there has highs of 89°F and 4.1 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 100 days a year, almost all from April to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 23 nights a year. That 51.2 inches is more than at 2 of the 107 Alabama stations used on this site (2%). Ashford, 10 miles northeast, has its own station (Headland, AL): 56.9 inches a year, 5.7 more than here, and a July average high of 93°F against 92°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63 | 41 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Feb | 67 | 44 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Mar | 74 | 49 | 5.0 | 6 |
| Apr | 80 | 55 | 3.7 | 4 |
| May | 88 | 64 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | 8 |
| Jul | 92 | 73 | 5.1 | 9 |
| Aug | 91 | 73 | 4.9 | 8 |
| Sep | 89 | 69 | 4.1 | 5 |
| Oct | 81 | 58 | 3.1 | 3 |
| Nov | 72 | 47 | 3.7 | 5 |
| Dec | 65 | 43 | 4.8 | 6 |
| Year | 79 | 57 | 51.2 | 69 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Marianna Municipal Airport, FL (113 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 Cottonwood
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 202 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Cottonwood: 173 thunderstorm wind reports, 20 flash floods, 7 floods and 2 lightning strikes. They killed 1 person and injured 3, and the NWS estimated $1.9 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 81 mph, on November 24, 2004. February has had the most flash floods, 7 of 20. Of the 321 Alabama cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 212 have had fewer than Cottonwood.
July 26, 2017: lightning strike 4 miles from the centre of Cottonwood — 1 killed.
NWS: “A 16 years old boy was standing on the porch of his home when a nearby tree was struck by lightning off Willie Varnum Road. The lightning then jumped from the tree to the boy, killing him.”
February 7, 2018: thunderstorm wind 5 miles from the centre of Cottonwood — 2 injured, $100,000 damage.
NWS: “Six mobile homes were damaged due to high winds. One of the mobile homes blew over and sustained major damage.”
June 5, 1998: thunderstorm wind 6 miles from the centre of Cottonwood — 1 injured, $15,000 damage.
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
Houston County, which includes Cottonwood, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1975, 17 of them major disasters (by incident: 12 hurricanes, 11 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies, 1 drought). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Sally, on September 20, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Houston County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for inland flooding and heat waves; Relatively Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $55.2 million a year, the 9th highest of 67 Alabama counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $23.4 million (42%), 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 Cottonwood
- Ashford, AL10 mi
- Cowarts, AL10 mi
- Malone, FL11 mi
- Dothan, AL13 mi
- Slocomb, AL14 mi
- Graceville, FL15 mi
- Greenwood, FL18 mi
- Cottondale, FL19 mi
- Columbia, AL21 mi
- Midland City, AL21 mi
- Marianna, FL22 mi
- Newton, AL23 mi
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