Jackson County, Alabama Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1892, 19 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Jackson County, Alabama — about one every 7.1 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Nate (2017), which passed 36 miles away on 8 October 2017.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentNate (2017) — 36 mi away, 8 October 2017
- Strongest stormOpal (1995) — 40 kt (46 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordBecky (1970) — 3.4 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles9 of 19
- Peak monthJuly, August, September and October — 4 storms (21% of all)
- Most active year1985 — 2 storms
- Most active decade2000s — 4 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1892–2017
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate (2017) | 8 Oct 2017 | 35.7 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Fay (2008) | 26 Aug 2008 | 7.7 mi | TS / TD | 17 kt |
| Ivan (2004) | 17 Sep 2004 | 16.5 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Bill (2003) | 2 Jul 2003 | 37.1 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Isidore (2002) | 27 Sep 2002 | 33.7 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Opal (1995) | 5 Oct 1995 | 9.3 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
| Andrew (1992) | 28 Aug 1992 | 10.4 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Juan (1985) | 1 Nov 1985 | 37.6 mi | TS / TD | 31 kt |
| Danny (1985) | 17 Aug 1985 | 20.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Babe (1977) | 7 Sep 1977 | 33.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Becky (1970) | 23 Jul 1970 | 3.4 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1969) | 2 Oct 1969 | 48.6 mi | TS / TD | 21 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1948) | 11 Jul 1948 | 35.3 mi | TS / TD | 18 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1939) | 17 Aug 1939 | 42.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1916) | 10 Jul 1916 | 13.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1906) | 13 Jun 1906 | 31.6 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 14 Jun 1901 | 5.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1898) | 3 Oct 1898 | 24.7 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1892) | 13 Sep 1892 | 27.5 mi | TS / TD | 36 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta (2020) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 2020 | 29.4 mi | 20 kt |
| Lee (2011) | Post-tropical | 6 Sep 2011 | 39.7 mi | 15 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1932) | Post-tropical | 17 Oct 1932 | 29.1 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1915) | Post-tropical | 1 Oct 1915 | 43.4 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1905) | Post-tropical | 10 Oct 1905 | 10.5 mi | 25 kt |
How Jackson County, Alabama compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Jackson County, Alabama ranks #811 — more exposed than 63.3% of them. Within Alabama it ranks #66 of 67, against a state average of 32.6 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Opal (1995) passed 9 miles away on 5 October 1995 as a tropical storm, reaching 40 kt (46 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1892) passed 27 miles away on 13 September 1892 as a tropical storm, reaching 36 kt (41 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Juan (1985) passed 38 miles away on 1 November 1985 as a tropical storm, reaching 32 kt (37 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Danny (1985) passed 20 miles away on 17 August 1985 as a tropical depression, reaching 30 kt (35 mph) while within 50 miles.
18 of the 19 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 7.1 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 19 storms spread over the 134 years from 1892 to 2025. 1 separate year 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 8 years since the last one; 5 of the 17 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit Jackson County, Alabama?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Jackson County, Alabama while at hurricane strength. 19 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1892, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Opal (1995).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Jackson County, Alabama?
Nate (2017), on 8 October 2017, passing 36 miles away — 9 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Jackson County, Alabama at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Jackson County, Alabama?
Opal (1995), which reached 40 kt (46 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 9 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Jackson County, Alabama?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 7.1 years — 19 storms over the 134 years from 1892 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Jackson County, Alabama borders or sits close to 4 other counties with a published storm record. Marshall County, Alabama has 22 on record.