Washington County, Alabama
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 01129 · population 15,333 · 1,080 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 343 records for Washington County, Alabama from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 237 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (156 records). The deadliest single record is the April 15, 2011 tornado: 3 deaths, 3 injuries and $2.6 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 27 declarations naming the county since 1975, 25 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
- 343on 237 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 312 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $21Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 33strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 27latest 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 Washington County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 156 since 1968. 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 | 156 | 116 | 1968-2025 | 0 | 7 | $6.8M | 63 of 67 |
| Hail | 90 | 67 | 1957-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2.4M | 51 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 33 | 27 | 1969-2025 | 3 | 4 | $9.4M | 65 of 67 |
| Floods | 24 | 22 | 1997-2022 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 54 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 13 | 11 | 2000-2025 | 0 | 0 | $26K | 53 of 67 |
| Lightning | 11 | 11 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 1 | $417K | 26 of 67 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 7 | 7 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | $211K | 42 of 67 |
| Drought | 3 | 3 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 58 of 67 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2000-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 67 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 2 | 2 | 2016-2024 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 57 of 67 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2001-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 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 Washington County had?
NOAA records 33 tornadoes in Washington County from 1969 to 2025, the strongest rated EF3, with 3 deaths and 4 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 33 tornadoes whose track touched Washington County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 33, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 4 people, 3 of them in Washington County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-15 18:45, as SPC files it | LeakesvilleCrossed AL, MS | EF3 | 18.3 mi | 4 |
| 2022-11-30 02:27, as SPC files it | Fruitdale to TibbieCrossed AL, MS | EF3 | 20.06 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Alabama.
Every tornado record filed for Washington County (33)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-15 | Summit, Washington County | EF1 3.22 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-12 | Frankville, Washington County | EF2 0.55 mi x 650 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-12-14 | Silver Cross, Washington County | EF2 1.43 mi x 140 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-11-30 | Fruitdale, Washington County | EF3 16.46 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-03-03 | Sims Chapel, Washington County | EF1 2.57 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $58K |
| 2019-03-03 | Tibbie, Washington County | EF1 0.16 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2018-02-10 | Yellow Pine, Washington County | EF0 0.17 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2014-11-17 | Chatom Municipal Airport, Washington County | EF1 11.57 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2013-02-10 | Bigbee, Washington County | EF1 6.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $38K |
| 2012-12-25 | Deer Park, Washington County | EF1 2.18 mi x 110 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-15 | Yellow Pine, Washington County | EF1 3.3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $394K |
| 2011-04-15 | Yarbo, Washington County | EF2 0.9 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $66K |
| 2011-04-15 | Escatawpa, Washington County | EF3 5.93 mi x 400 yd | 3 | 3 | $2.6M |
| 2010-04-08 | Malcolm, Washington County | EF0 0.11 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-03-10 | Yellow Pine, Washington County | EF0 0.56 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-01-10 | Mc Intosh, Washington County | EF1 1.6 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $3.4M |
| 2006-11-15 | Jordan, Washington County | F1 7.79 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 2005-07-06 | Leroy, Washington County | F0 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2002-12-24 | Millry, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 2002-12-24 | Leroy, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2002-12-23 | Fruitdale, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 2002-12-19 | Malcolm, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 1996-03-18 | Millry, Washington County | F0 5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 1996-03-18 | Copeland, Washington County | F0 4 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 1988-11-04 | Washington County | F2 12 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1985-09-23 | Washington County | F1 7 mi x 73 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1984-03-24 | Washington County | F2 2 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1976-03-16 | Washington County | F2 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1972-03-02 | Washington County | F2 8 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1971-09-16 | Washington County | F1 2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-09-16 | Washington County | F2 5.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-03-03 | Washington County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1969-06-29 | Washington County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 Washington County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 3, 2019 tornado ($58,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
The tornado began near John Johnston Road and continued east, adjacent to Fairford Road. The tornado lifted roughly just south of Price Rivers Road and just east of Fairford Road. The tornado produced tree damage along its path. snapping both softwood and hardwood trees. The most extensive tree damage was noted near the Sims Chapel Holiness Church. An addition to the church was damaged heavily. The addition was an open facing structure which allowed the wind to get inside. A few structures suffered minor damage along the path, due to downed trees. Based on radar data, the start point of the tornado could have occurred west of John Johnston Road, but this is in a remote area where access is limited.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 813539)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-25 | Thunderstorm WindLeroy, Washington County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-03 | HailFruitdale, Washington County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-15 | TornadoSummit, Washington County | EF1 3.22 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-16 | Thunderstorm WindTibbie, Washington County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-12 | TornadoFrankville, Washington County | EF2 0.55 mi x 650 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Heavy SnowWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-12-14 | TornadoSilver Cross, Washington County | EF2 1.43 mi x 140 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-11-30 | TornadoFruitdale, Washington County | EF3 16.46 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-03-03 | TornadoSims Chapel, Washington County | EF1 2.57 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $58K |
| 2019-03-03 | TornadoTibbie, Washington County | EF1 0.16 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2018-02-10 | TornadoYellow Pine, Washington County | EF0 0.17 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2017-06-22 | Flash FloodCopeland Co, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $554K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-15 | TornadoEscatawpa, Washington County Tornado moved into southwest Washington county from the Leakesville area of Greene County Mississippi. The tornado tracked near County Road 8 where several mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. Three fatalities and three injuries occurred in a destroyed mobile home in Deer Park on Box Road. The tornado lifted just ... | EF3 5.93 mi x 400 yd | 3 | 3 | $2.6M |
| 2001-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindMc Intosh, Washington County A line of severe thunderstorms produced a microburst, with winds estimated in excess of 80 mph, in the vicinity of McIntosh. The severe winds completely destroyed several trailer homes in the area, injuring 6 individuals. Significant tree and structural damage to buildings occurred over a widespread area around ... | 75 kt wind | 0 | 6 | $1.7M |
| 2011-04-15 | TornadoYarbo, Washington County The tornado touched down near Highway 17, moving east and widening to 150 yards. East of Highway 17 the tornado lifted a single story wood frame home off of its concrete masonry unit pier foundation and rolled it about 100 yards. The home disintegrated as it was blown or rolled to the northeast. Trees were snapped, ... | EF2 0.9 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $66K |
| 2001-06-22 | LightningTibbie, Washington County Lightning indirectly struck a woman while she was standing on the back porch of her home during a thunderstorm. The woman was not hospitalized as she was checked by emergency medical personnel at the scene and declared to be not significantly injured. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1984-10-21 | Thunderstorm WindWashington County | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-01-10 | TornadoMc Intosh, Washington County | EF1 1.6 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $3.4M |
| 1998-06-05 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2011-04-15 | TornadoEscatawpa, Washington County | EF3 5.93 mi x 400 yd | 3 | 3 | $2.6M |
| 2003-05-02 | HailChatom, Washington County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $2.2M |
| 2017-01-02 | Flash FloodLeroy, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2006-11-15 | TornadoJordan, Washington County | F1 7.79 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 2007-04-14 | Thunderstorm WindYarbo, Washington County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $712K |
| 2017-06-22 | Flash FloodCopeland Co, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $554K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 24, 1984 (tornado, Washington 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 Washington 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 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 39 | 40 | 25 | 35 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 33 | 13 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 5 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 5 | 5 | 0 | 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 Washington County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 24 · Mar 45 · Apr 57 · May 44 · Jun 39 · Jul 25 · Aug 19 · Sep 11 · Oct 8 · Nov 13 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Washington County
FEMA's register lists 27 declarations that include Washington County: 14 major disasters, 12 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for hurricane (15) and severe storm (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3618 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2020-12-10 | DR-4573 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| 2020-09-14 | EM-3545 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4503 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3472 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-11-16 | DR-4349 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| 2017-10-08 | EM-3394 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| 2017-09-11 | EM-3389 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2014-05-02 | DR-4176 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 2009-04-28 | DR-1835 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes & Straight-Line |
| 2008-08-30 | EM-3292 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3237 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-08-29 | DR-1605 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2005-08-28 | EM-3214 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 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 |
| 1999-09-18 | FM-2280 | Fire | Al - Macintosh Fire - 09/18/99 |
| 1998-09-30 | DR-1250 | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges - 18 Sep 98 |
| 1998-09-28 | EM-3133 | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges |
| 1993-03-15 | EM-3096 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1990-03-21 | DR-861 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1979-09-13 | DR-598 | Hurricane | Hurricane Frederic |
| 1977-07-20 | EM-3045 | Drought | Drought |
| 1975-03-14 | DR-458 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 Washington County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 24 flood or flash flood records for Washington County from 1997 to 2022, on 22 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Washington County ranks 2212th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $115,000 on 15 claims filed in Washington County; the most in one year was 3 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 2 · 1990: 2 · 1998: 2 · 2004: 3 · 2005: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2022: 2; 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 Washington County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.8 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 Moderate | $3.6M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $1.7M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $595K | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $94K | once in about 418 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $201K | 80 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $315K | 8.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $80K | 14 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $561K | 1.1 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 Washington 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 Washington CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Washington County's FEMA declarations (CSV)27 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis