Fayette County, Alabama Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1879, 22 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Fayette County, Alabama — about one every 6.7 years. Of those, 1 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Alberto (2018), which passed 33 miles away on 29 May 2018.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentAlberto (2018) — 33 mi away, 29 May 2018
- Strongest stormFrederic (1979) — 51 kt (59 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordUnnamed Storm (1895) — 9.7 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles11 of 22
- Peak monthSeptember — 9 storms (41% of all)
- Most active year1916 — 2 storms
- Most active decade2000s — 5 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1879–2018
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberto (2018) | 29 May 2018 | 32.9 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Nate (2017) | 8 Oct 2017 | 27.1 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Fay (2008) | 26 Aug 2008 | 14.7 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Arlene (2005) | 12 Jun 2005 | 10.5 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Bill (2003) | 1 Jul 2003 | 33.5 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Isidore (2002) | 27 Sep 2002 | 19.6 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Barry (2001) | 6 Aug 2001 | 49.8 mi | TS / TD | 16 kt |
| Andrew (1992) | 27 Aug 1992 | 11.1 mi | TS / TD | 23 kt |
| Frederic (1979) | 13 Sep 1979 | 20.3 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Babe (1977) | 7 Sep 1977 | 19.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Edith (1971) | 17 Sep 1971 | 47.5 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Ethel (1960) | 17 Sep 1960 | 38.6 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Easy (1950) | 8 Sep 1950 | 41.9 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Baker (1950) | 31 Aug 1950 | 30.4 mi | TS / TD | 39 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1939) | 15 Aug 1939 | 42.7 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1916) | 19 Oct 1916 | 15.8 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1916) | 8 Jul 1916 | 12.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1912) | 15 Sep 1912 | 42.4 mi | TS / TD | 33 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1895) | 17 Aug 1895 | 9.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1892) | 13 Sep 1892 | 36.0 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1881) | 29 Aug 1881 | 24.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1879) | 2 Sep 1879 | 21.5 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 4 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (2020) | Post-tropical | 25 Sep 2020 | 12.4 mi | 20 kt |
| Irma (2017) | Remnant low | 12 Sep 2017 | 39.2 mi | 18 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1915) | Post-tropical | 30 Sep 1915 | 22.7 mi | 39 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1905) | Post-tropical | 10 Oct 1905 | 17.2 mi | 25 kt |
How Fayette County, Alabama compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Fayette County, Alabama ranks #703 — more exposed than 68.2% of them. Within Alabama it ranks #53 of 67, against a state average of 32.6 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Frederic (1979) passed 20 miles away on 13 September 1979 as a hurricane, reaching 51 kt (59 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed (October 1916) passed 16 miles away on 19 October 1916 as a tropical storm, reaching 51 kt (59 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Baker (1950) passed 30 miles away on 31 August 1950 as a tropical storm, reaching 40 kt (46 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed (July 1916) passed 13 miles away on 8 July 1916 as a tropical storm, reaching 40 kt (46 mph) while within 50 miles.
19 of the 22 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 6.7 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 22 storms spread over the 147 years from 1879 to 2025. 2 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 23 years, between 1916 and 1939. It has been 7 years since the last one; 9 of the 19 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Fayette County, Alabama?
1 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Fayette County, Alabama at hurricane strength since 1879. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 22.
When was the last hurricane in Fayette County, Alabama?
Frederic (1979), on 13 September 1979, passing 20 miles away — 47 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Alberto (2018) in 2018.
What was the strongest storm to affect Fayette County, Alabama?
Frederic (1979), which reached 51 kt (59 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 20 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Fayette County, Alabama?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 6.7 years — 22 storms over the 147 years from 1879 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Fayette County, Alabama borders or sits close to 4 other counties with a published storm record. Pickens County, Alabama has 32 on record.