Marengo County
Population 18,311 (2025) 977 sq mi
22 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Marengo County since 1851, 1 of them at hurricane strength; the strongest was Zeta in 2020 (Category 1).
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths since 195047
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger44
At a glance
The record for Marengo County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Strongest tornado
EF4
April 27, 2011, 122.0 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 1
Hurricane Zeta, 2020, 0.0 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 1.6 years since 1950, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 27, 2011
EF4, 122.0 mile path
1,050 yards wide; 7 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Sunday, March 26, 2023
EF2, 5.8 mile path
3 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Mar 26, 2023 | EF2 | 5.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 3, 2023 | EF1 | 8.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2022 | EF1 | 15.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF2 | 37.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF2 | 9.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2021 | EF0 | 1.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2021 | EF2 | 36.6 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2021 | EF1 | 2.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2021 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF1 | 8.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF1 | 1.3 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF2 | 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2019 | EF0 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2018 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2018 | EF1 | 11.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF1 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF2 | 20.4 | 4 | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF1 | 12.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF1 | 5.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF1 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF0 | 2.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 122.0 | 17 | 7 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF2 | 38.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF2 | 10.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF2 | 5.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF3 | 15.3 | 4 | 1 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF1 | 16.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF1 | 8.2 | 2 | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2006 | F1 | 3.6 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 2006 | F1 | 2.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2004 | F0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2004 | F2 | 11.9 | 2 | 0 |
| May 7, 2003 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2003 | F1 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | F0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 13, 2001 | F1 | 7.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2000 | F1 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 24, 1988 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1988 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1983 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | F2 | 18.4 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 7, 1973 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 4, 1972 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 20, 1961 | F1 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Marengo County: 2.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
22 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 1 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
October 29, 2020
Zeta, Category 1
0.0 miles at closest approach, winds near 74 mph.
Most recent
October 29, 2020
Zeta, Category 1
0.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Zeta | 2020 | 0.0 | Category 1 |
| Sally | 2020 | 59.5 | Tropical storm |
| Gordon | 2018 | 83.3 | Tropical storm |
| Nate | 2017 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Lee | 2011 | 8.8 | Post-tropical |
| Katrina | 2005 | 63.3 | Tropical storm |
| Dennis | 2005 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Ivan | 2004 | 1.3 | Tropical storm |
| Opal | 1995 | 58.0 | Category 1 |
| Erin | 1995 | 40.4 | Tropical storm |
| Juan | 1985 | 33.0 | Tropical storm |
| Frederic | 1979 | 32.5 | Tropical storm |
| Eloise | 1975 | 92.2 | Category 1 |
| Hilda | 1964 | 98.5 | Tropical storm |
| Baker | 1950 | 3.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1948 | 59.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 0.0 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 50.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1923 | 56.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 9.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 60.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 59.5 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 22.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1911 | 95.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 60.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1903 | 88.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 70.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 75.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 32.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 56.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1892 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 90.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 64.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 96.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 39.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 7.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 0.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 72.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1872 | 74.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 14.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 60.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1859 | 40.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1855 | 30.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 19.3 | Tropical storm |
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
No large wildfire has been mapped here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 49 days
Heavy smoke on 3 days in 2025, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
11.3 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
6 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 36 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
40 federal flood insurance claims since 1979, with $187,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
1991: 12 claims
$51,000 paid.
2nd most
1980: 5 claims
$9,276 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 36732 | 32 | $166,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood8
- Flood6
- Heavy Rain1
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).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
Most severe crest
April 19, 1979
Tombigbee River at Demopolis Lock and Dam, 92.30 ft
24.30 feet above the 68.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
March 3, 2019
Tombigbee River at Demopolis Lock and Dam, 82.80 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Tombigbee River at Demopolis Lock and Dam | 68.0 | 92.30 ft | 1 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 105 of 1,581 months since 1895 (7%); the longest spell lasted 15 months.
105
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
22
Months in extreme drought
7%
Share of all months, severe or worse
38
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
September 1954
−5.04, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
15 months
March 2007 to May 2008.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.86, moderate drought
Last severe month: April 2026.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes
1 earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles since 1900; the largest was magnitude 4.3 in 2004.
1
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
22
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
1
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
November 7, 2004
Magnitude 4.3
4 km W of Forkland, Alabama; 8.8 miles away, 3.1 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
December 22, 2021
Magnitude 3.1
10 km E of Maplesville, Alabama; 48.9 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Nov 7, 2004 | 4.3 | 8.8 |
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the county boundary (or inside the county).
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
337 events in the National Weather Service record, 287 of them since 1996.
42
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
11
Hail, 2 inches or larger
86
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
9
Winter weather events since 1996
12
Heat events since 1996
4
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
April 15, 2011
4.25 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
February 25, 2001
86 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 3 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Apr 27, 2011Tornado$14.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down in Smith County, Mississippi and tracked through Jasper and Clarke Counties (See Storm Data Jackson), causing EF4 rated damage. The tornado then crossed into Choctaw County (See Storm Data Mobile) Alabama, causing EF3 rated damage. The tornado tracked across portions of Sumter, Marengo and western Perry Counties, before it dissipated. The tornado crossed into western Marengo County south of Old Locke 3 Rd and continued to cause significant tree damage as it tracked northeastward. The tornado crossed AL Hwy 28 south of Pin Hook and US Hwy 43 north of Chickasaw State Park. The tornado continued northeast through the Faunsdale area where it significantly…
- Sep 16, 2004High Wind, Marengo$10.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Thousands of trees and power lines were blown down or snapped off during Ivan. Several hundred homes or structures received varying degrees of wind damage. Numerous roadways were blocked from fallen trees making them temporarily impassable. Power was not fully restored for at least a week in spots. Maximum wind gusts were estimated around 90 miles an hour.
- Apr 15, 2011Tornado$4.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down in Marengo County just west of County Road 90 in a rural setting. The tornado moved northeastand snapped or uprooted dozens of trees. As the tornado crossed State Highway 69 just south of Myrtlewood, it strengthened to an EF-3 rating, with maximum winds of 150 mph. Several dozen mobile homes were heavily damage or destroyed, resulting in 1 fatality. In the community of Hilltop, several more mobile homes were destroyed, resulting in 4 injuries. The tornado continued to move northeast where it snapped and uprooted many more trees. It lifted after it crossed State Highway 28, northwest of Linden. The tornado had a slight left turn to its path.
- Apr 15, 2011Tornado$3.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado initially touched down in Choctaw County Alabama and moved northeast. It crossed into Marengo County several miles southwest of Nanafalia. The tornado continued to move northeast where it snapped or uprooted numerous trees. As it moved into Nanafalia, the tornado straightened to an EF-2 with maximum winds of 135 mph. Several homes sustained moderate damage due to falling trees. A couple of homes lost parts of their roofs. The tornado lifted just northeast of County Road 33.
- Aug 29, 2005Tropical Storm, Marengo$2.4 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hundreds of trees and power lines were snapped off or blown down during Katrina. Numerous structures, homes and vehicles were damaged. One man was injured when a tree fell on his car. Power outages were widespread and lasted up to a week.
- Apr 15, 2011Tornado$1.8 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down in Marengo County, just west of County Road 39, southwest of the community of Half Chance. The tornado moved northeast where it snapped and uprooted dozens of trees along its path. As the tornado moved into Dayton, it strengthened to an EF-2, with maximum winds of 125 mph. Several homes sustained significant roof damage. The tornado lifted 1 mile northeast of Dayton along State Highway 25.
- Apr 15, 2011Tornado$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down in Marengo County, 7 miles west of Linden. The tornado moved northeast where it snapped and uprooted numerous trees along its path. As the tornado moved into the community of Pin Hook, it strengthened to an EF-2 rating, with maximum winds of 130 mph. Several homes received significant damage. One home had its entire roof removed and damage to several exterior walls. The tornado lifted near State Highway 28.
- Jul 10, 2005Tropical Storm, Marengo$900,000
National Weather Service narrative
Hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down across Marengo County during Dennis. Several homes sustained minor roof damage and many roadways were blocked by downed trees. Several fallen trees landed on homes and produced damage. Many county customers were without power for at least a day.
- Jan 9, 2000Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado was reported first touching down just inside the Marengo County line about 3 miles south of Dixons Mills. The storm then crossed U. S. Highway 43 about 2.5 miles south of Dixons Mills . Storm track was northeast...crossing County Road 37 and then across State Highway 10 just west of County Road 55. The storm then moved across County Roads 55 and 45. Almost all the damage along this track was to trees. The tornado appeared to be near tree top level along this path.The storm then moved across County Road 56 near Surginer just to the east of County Road 45. This is where most of the structural damage occurred. Two mobile homes were demolished. One home sustained major roof…
- Nov 30, 2006Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Demopolis tornado touched down approximately 3 miles southwest of the city of Demopolis, just west of Maria Avenue and south of U.S. Highway 80. The tornado then tracked north northeast and crossed U.S. Highway 80. Several large trees were knocked down and the fallen trees produced varying degrees of damage to homes. Additional large trees were knocked down and subsequently destroyed several mobile homes. One apartment complex sustained significant roof damage. A few mobile homes were rolled over. The tornado continued north northeast across the western part of Demopolis snapping trees along the path. One warehouse had an entire wall collapse. Several floats being prepared for…
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Demopolis L&d, 13 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1951.
- All-time high
- 105°F7 times, most recently Jul 15, 1980
- All-time low
- −2°FJan 22, 1985
- Warmest night
- 87°FAug 25, 2008
- Coldest day
- 16°FDec 23, 1989
- Wettest day
- 6.21 inApr 13, 1974
- Snowiest day
- 3.5 inMar 13, 1993
- Hottest year
- 1954mean 66.9°F
- Coldest year
- 1960mean 60.0°F
- Wettest year
- 196179.95 in
- Driest year
- 195427.95 in
Station Demopolis L&d (USC00012245), 100 ft elevation, 13.0 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1951 to October 27, 2026; 88.4% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
20 since 1953. The most recent: Hurricane Helene, September 26, 2024.
| Sep 26, 2024 | Hurricane | EM-3618-AL |
| Dec 10, 2020 | Hurricane | DR-4573-AL |
| Sep 14, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3545-AL |
| Mar 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4503-AL |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3472-AL |
| Oct 8, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3394-AL |
| Sep 11, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3389-AL |
| Apr 28, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1971-AL |
| Apr 27, 2011 | Severe Storm | EM-3319-AL |
| Apr 28, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1835-AL |
| Aug 30, 2008 | Hurricane | EM-3292-AL |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3237-AL |
| Aug 29, 2005 | Hurricane | DR-1605-AL |
| Jul 10, 2005 | Hurricane | DR-1593-AL |
| Sep 15, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1549-AL |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | EM-3096-AL |
| Feb 17, 1990 | Severe Storm | DR-856-AL |
| Sep 13, 1979 | Hurricane | DR-598-AL |
| Apr 18, 1979 | Flood | DR-578-AL |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | EM-3045-AL |
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).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
How this compares
Where Marengo County stands among 67 counties in Alabama and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 47 | 26 / 67 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 2 | 49 / 67 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 22 | 23 / 67 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 1 | 22 / 67 |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 40 | 34 / 67 |
| Flood insurance paid | $187,000 | 44 / 67 |
| Disaster declarations | 20 | 61 / 67 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 15 | 59 / 67 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 161 | 52 / 67 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 9 | 50 / 67 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $40.4 million | 17 / 67 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 1 | 28 / 67 |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 105 | 34 / 67 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 11.3 | 20 / 67 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 1 | 29 / 67 |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 1 | 28 / 67 |
Neighbouring counties
| Choctaw County | 30 | 28 |
| Clarke County | 45 | 38 |
| Dallas County | 46 | 22 |
| Greene County | 29 | 18 |
| Hale County | 54 | 18 |
| Perry County | 40 | 20 |
| Sumter County | 31 | 24 |
| Wilcox County | 15 | 25 |
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00012245.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.