Randolph County, Alabama
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 01111 · population 21,932 · 581 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 424 records for Randolph County, Alabama from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 307 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (159 records). The deadliest single record is the April 5, 1985 thunderstorm wind: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 25 declarations naming the county since 1977, 23 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Helene” on September 26, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 424on 307 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 316 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $24Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 22strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 25latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Randolph County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 159 since 1974. The rank column places the county among Alabama's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 159 | 117 | 1974-2026 | 2 | 1 | $3.4M | 37 of 67 |
| Hail | 99 | 63 | 1982-2025 | 0 | 0 | $282K | 29 of 67 |
| Drought | 67 | 66 | 2006-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 67 |
| Floods | 26 | 23 | 1998-2023 | 0 | 1 | $2.4M | 31 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 22 | 20 | 1970-2024 | 1 | 14 | $15M | 54 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 17 | 17 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $323K | 22 of 67 |
| Lightning | 9 | 9 | 2000-2011 | 0 | 0 | $349K | 20 of 67 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 7 | 7 | 2005-2024 | 0 | 0 | $96K | 11 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 6 | 1996-2014 | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | 19 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 6 | 2004-2009 | 0 | 0 | $254K | 32 of 67 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 67 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2009-2009 | 0 | 0 | $1K | 37 of 67 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Randolph County had?
NOAA records 22 tornadoes in Randolph County from 1970 to 2024, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 14 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 22 tornadoes whose track touched Randolph County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 22, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 1 of them in Randolph County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-01-26 17:00, as SPC files it | Ephesus | F3 | 21.3 mi | 1 |
| 1989-03-05 19:40, as SPC files it | FranklinCrossed AL, GA | F2 | 45.5 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Alabama.
Every tornado record filed for Randolph County (22)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-27 | Newell, Randolph County | EF0 3.17 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-01-03 | Dingler, Randolph County | EF0 1.11 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-03-25 | Almond, Randolph County | EF2 23.9 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-03-14 | Wedowee, Randolph County | EF0 4.38 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-12-20 | Dickert, Randolph County | EF0 3.17 mi x 16 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-12-21 | Graham, Randolph County | EF0 0.26 mi x 88 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 2009-02-18 | Wehadkee, Randolph County | EF1 0.85 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2008-02-17 | Corinth, Randolph County | EF1 14.71 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $137K |
| 2005-04-30 | Wadley, Randolph County | F1 2.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $91K |
| 2005-04-30 | Wadley, Randolph County | F1 2.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $27K |
| 2003-05-07 | Wedowee, Randolph County | F1 12.9 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $136K |
| 2001-11-24 | Wedowee, Randolph County | F1 0.2 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $83K |
| 2000-12-16 | Wedowee, Randolph County | F0 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 1992-11-22 | Randolph County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 5 | $2.5M step |
| 1989-11-15 | Randolph County | F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1989-03-05 | Randolph County | F2 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1984-11-10 | Randolph County | F1 5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1984-05-03 | Randolph County | F1 5 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-05-03 | Randolph County | F2 6 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1974-01-26 | Randolph County | F3 21.3 mi x 150 yd | 1 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1971-02-26 | Randolph County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-04-26 | Randolph County | F2 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Randolph County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 7, 2025 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindWadley, Randolph County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindWedowee, Randolph County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | Thunderstorm WindLamar, Randolph County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtRandolph County · forecast zone Randolph | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtRandolph County · forecast zone Randolph | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-21 | DroughtRandolph County · forecast zone Randolph | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindDickert, Randolph County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindPine Tuckey, Randolph County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindWoodland, Randolph County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2025-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindPine Tuckey, Randolph County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindWedowee, Randolph County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindCorinth, Randolph County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-04-05 | Thunderstorm WindRandolph County | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 1974-01-26 | TornadoRandolph County | F3 21.3 mi x 150 yd | 1 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1992-11-22 | TornadoRandolph County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 5 | $2.5M step |
| 1970-04-26 | TornadoRandolph County | F2 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 2020-02-06 | FloodMalone, Randolph County Several road washed out across northern Randolph County with 3-4 inches of rainfall reported during the event. One person injured when driving into area where road washed out. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2008-07-22 | Thunderstorm WindRoanoke Municipal Airport, Randolph County The top of a pine tree fell on a mobile home, and injured one person who was taken to the hospital. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $7K |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-05-02 | Thunderstorm WindWedowee, Randolph County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 1998-03-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Randolph County | 0 | 0 | $960K | |
| 2003-05-08 | FloodRandolph County · forecast zone Randolph | 0 | 0 | $481K | |
| 2008-07-22 | Thunderstorm WindDingler, Randolph County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $411K |
| 2002-09-22 | Flash FloodCountywide, Randolph County | 0 | 0 | $328K | |
| 2000-01-09 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Randolph County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $257K |
| 2002-04-28 | Thunderstorm WindRoanoke, Randolph County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 2008-02-26 | Thunderstorm WindPine Tuckey, Randolph County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $103K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: November 22, 1992 (tornado, Randolph County); March 5, 1989 (tornado, Randolph County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Randolph County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 16 | 54 | 35 | 43 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 50 | 18 | 2 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 22 | 39 | 6 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 11 | 10 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Randolph County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 39 · Feb 32 · Mar 43 · Apr 59 · May 54 · Jun 56 · Jul 42 · Aug 31 · Sep 17 · Oct 14 · Nov 14 · Dec 23 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Randolph County
FEMA's register lists 25 declarations that include Randolph County: 15 major disasters, 10 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and hurricane (9).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3618 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2023-05-05 | DR-4710 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2021-04-26 | DR-4596 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-12-10 | DR-4573 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| 2020-09-14 | EM-3545 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| 2020-05-21 | DR-4546 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4503 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3472 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-09-11 | EM-3389 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2011-04-28 | DR-1971 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2011-04-27 | EM-3319 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2008-08-30 | EM-3292 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3237 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-07-10 | DR-1593 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dennis |
| 2004-09-15 | DR-1549 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 2003-05-12 | DR-1466 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 1998-03-09 | DR-1208 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1995-10-04 | DR-1070 | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal |
| 1994-07-08 | DR-1034 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding (Tropical Storm Alberto) |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3096 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1990-03-21 | DR-861 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1990-02-17 | DR-856 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1979-04-18 | DR-578 | Flood | Storms, Wind, Flooding |
| 1979-03-17 | EM-3074 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3045 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Randolph County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 26 flood or flash flood records for Randolph County from 1998 to 2023, on 23 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Randolph County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $16,000 on 1 claim filed in Randolph County; the most in one year was 1 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2017: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Randolph County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Randolph County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.9 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $565K | once in about 16 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $3K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $89K | once in about 320 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.5M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $234K | 4.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $614K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $67K | 44 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.1M | about once a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Randolph County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in AlabamaEvery Alabama tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in AlabamaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Alabama recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Randolph CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Randolph County's FEMA declarations (CSV)25 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis