Safford, AL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Safford is about the same as Alabama average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Safford is much lower than Alabama average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #480
| Safford, AL | 0.03 |
| Alabama | 0.08 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Safford, AL | 0.0000 |
| Alabama | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #707
| Safford, AL | 119.91 |
| Alabama | 255.80 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 1,388 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Safford, AL were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 25 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 26 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 79 | Hail: | 428 | Heat: | 43 | Heavy Snow: | 9 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 1 | Ice Storm: | 3 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 26 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 699 | Tropical Storm: | 3 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 8 | Winter Weather: | 4 |
| Other: | 34 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Safford, AL.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Safford, AL.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Safford, AL.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 52 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Safford, AL.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 11.2 | 2007-03-01 | 4 | 32°07'N / 87°24'W | 32°10'N / 87°18'W | 6.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 2 | 2.0M | 0K | Wilcox |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A significant tornado first touched down around 1227 pm at State Highway 28 near Miller's Ferry dam. The tornado then tracked northeast across William Bill Dannelly Reservoir moving ashore on Sand Island Drive. This is where most of the severe damage occurred with numerous homes damaged or destroyed. One resident had arrived at his home on the lake to eat lunch when the tornado hit and he was killed when his newer model manufactured home was destroyed. The straps holding the home down all snapped in the same place. He was thrown out of his home and later found in the debris. Neighbors next door had sought shelter in an underground storm shelter outside their house seconds before the tornado hit. When they safely emerged from the shelter, they found their home destroyed. Most of the homes on Sand Island are vacation homes with part-time residents. If the tornado had struck on the weekend when more people are present, the loss of life would likely have been greater. Around 40 homes(four of these were slab homes)were damaged or destroyed along Sand Island Drive with some of the debris scattered up to two miles downstream. The tornado continued quickly to the northeast through sparsely populated areas. Damage did occur to homes and hunting camps along this path. However, the damage here was only rated as EF-0 and EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The tornado crossed into Dallas County. In all, one person died and two people were slightly injured by the tornado. The injuries occurred along Sand Island Drive when a single wide trailer was destroyed with the occupants being thrown from the trailer. They were protected from flying debris by part of the trailer that had fallen on top of them. The highest wind speed of the tornado was estimated at 185 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Isolated thunderstorms developed ahead of a strong spring cold front. One of these thunderstorms produced a significant tornado in Wilcox County. | |||||||||||
| 12.5 | 1967-03-06 | 2 | 32°26'N / 87°32'W | 32°27'N / 87°30'W | 2.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Perry |
| 16.7 | 1979-09-20 | 2 | 32°33'N / 87°19'W | 32°31'N / 87°17'W | 3.00 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 17.1 | 2004-11-24 | 2 | 32°10'N / 87°44'W | 32°14'N / 87°34'W | 11.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 135K | 0 | Marengo |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down just north of the Shiloh Community on CR 73. Three mobile homes received extensive damage and two homes suffered moderate damage. The tornado moved northeast and damaged a carport and mobile home near Thomaston. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down or snapped off along the entire path of the tornado. Two people suffered minor injuries. The tornado damage path was 11.9 miles long and 200 yards wide at its widest point. Begin: 32 09.23/87 44.23 End: 32 14.79/87 33.97 | |||||||||||
| 19.7 | 1996-03-06 | 3 | 32°25'N / 87°14'W | 32°30'N / 86°58'W | 19.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 4 | 40 | 8.0M | 50K | Dallas |
| Brief Description: A tornado first touched down just south-southwest of Marion Junction in northern Dallas County and travelled east-northeast before ending in the northeastern part of the county. The tornado touched down initially in a rural area composed of fields with scattered houses. It crossed U. S. Highway 80 at the Cahaba River or about 9 miles west-northwest of Selma. The tornado continued on its east-northeast path crossing State Highway 14 and State Highway 22 before ending about two and a half miles east of Highway 22. The tornado path was about 19 miles in length with a maximum width of about 400 yards. The tornado first touched down around 3:42 am based on radar imagery. Travelling at 35 to 40 miles an hour the tornado was on the ground for about 25 minutes ending around 4:07 am. Information from emergency management sources indicated that 14 houses were destroyed, 19 houses sustained major damage, 5 houses sustained minor damage, 20 mobile homes were destroyed, 17 mobile homes sustained major damage, and 12 mobiles homes sustained minor damage. At least 40 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries varying from minor to serious. Two deaths occurred in a mobile home and two deaths occurred in a permanent house. F17PH, M71PH, M50MH, F52MH | |||||||||||
| 19.8 | 1972-04-22 | 2 | 32°06'N / 87°08'W | 32°10'N / 87°05'W | 5.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Dallas |
| 22.1 | 1955-04-21 | 2 | 32°23'N / 87°01'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dallas | |
| 22.2 | 1976-03-12 | 2 | 32°23'N / 87°53'W | 32°28'N / 87°35'W | 18.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Marengo |
| 22.4 | 1978-05-01 | 2 | 32°24'N / 87°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dallas | |
| 22.4 | 1980-09-01 | 2 | 32°24'N / 87°01'W | 0.20 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dallas | |
| 23.0 | 1961-12-17 | 2 | 32°36'N / 87°18'W | 32°38'N / 87°13'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Perry |
| 23.2 | 1984-05-03 | 2 | 32°26'N / 87°04'W | 32°26'N / 86°58'W | 7.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dallas |
| 23.3 | 1983-11-23 | 2 | 31°58'N / 87°18'W | 31°59'N / 87°16'W | 4.00 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Wilcox |
| 23.3 | 1974-04-22 | 2 | 32°38'N / 87°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Perry | |
| 23.4 | 1972-01-04 | 2 | 32°18'N / 87°47'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Marengo | |
| 23.7 | 1959-07-01 | 2 | 32°25'N / 87°00'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Dallas | |
| 24.5 | 2008-02-17 | 2 | 32°29'N / 87°06'W | 32°33'N / 87°00'W | 8.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 350K | 0K | Dallas |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down near Warrior Drive, just southeast of the Perry County line. It then tracked northeastward across AL-219 near the intersection of CR-230, moved right through the Summerfield Community, and crossed CR-37, before lifting just east of the intersection of CR-37 and CR-844. At least 5 structures, including 2 mobile homes and a metal warehouse, were destroyed. Twelve to fifteen additional structures, including several homes and an auto body shop, were damaged to varying degrees. Hundreds of trees were either snapped off or uprooted along the damage path. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A broken squall line, sparked by an advancing cold front and strong upper level storm, caused severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across Central Alabama. | |||||||||||
| 24.9 | 1961-12-11 | 3 | 32°38'N / 87°24'W | 32°41'N / 87°15'W | 9.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 26.2 | 1983-12-06 | 3 | 32°24'N / 87°04'W | 32°33'N / 86°54'W | 13.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 19 | 2.5M | 0 | Dallas |
| 26.5 | 1973-03-16 | 2 | 32°37'N / 87°40'W | 32°40'N / 87°31'W | 9.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hale |
| 28.7 | 1973-05-27 | 4 | 32°32'N / 87°48'W | 32°47'N / 87°28'W | 26.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 1 | 72 | 25.0M | 0 | Hale |
| 29.7 | 1992-03-10 | 3 | 32°39'N / 87°47'W | 32°42'N / 87°29'W | 14.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 2 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Hale |
| 30.3 | 1970-03-19 | 2 | 32°42'N / 87°36'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hale | |
| 31.8 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°55'N / 87°05'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 32.6 | 1992-03-10 | 3 | 32°35'N / 87°49'W | 32°39'N / 87°47'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Greene |
| 35.0 | 1973-05-27 | 4 | 32°47'N / 87°28'W | 32°50'N / 87°17'W | 11.20 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Perry |
| 35.5 | 1971-03-02 | 3 | 31°54'N / 87°49'W | 31°55'N / 87°44'W | 4.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clarke |
| 37.4 | 2008-02-17 | 2 | 32°10'N / 86°49'W | 32°16'N / 86°41'W | 11.00 Miles | 225 Yards | 0 | 10 | 215K | 0K | Lowndes |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down in the Collirene Community, about 14 miles west of Hayneville. It then tracked northeastward, and ended just north of US Highway 80, several miles west of Lowndesboro. At least 11 structures, most of them mobile homes, were damaged with three of these being completely destroyed. Hundreds of trees were either snapped or were uprooted along the damage path. The most extensive damage occurred in and near the Collirene Community. Ten injuries were attributed to this tornado. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A broken squall line, sparked by an advancing cold front and strong upper level storm, caused severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across Central Alabama. | |||||||||||
| 38.7 | 1961-12-11 | 2 | 32°47'N / 87°40'W | 32°52'N / 87°34'W | 8.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hale |
| 38.7 | 2004-11-24 | 2 | 32°36'N / 86°54'W | 32°39'N / 86°47'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 30K | 0 | Autauga |
| Brief Description: National Weather Service Meteorologist made a few trips to the damage areas across Autauga, Chilton and Coosa Counties. The damage was consistent with a very large tornado with a long damage path. The tornado damage was rated an F2, but the strength of the tornado may have been stronger but the tornado affected mostly rural areas. The F2 tornado first touched down between Jones and Bethel Grove generally producing only tree damage until it reached the county line. The tornado then traveled on a northeast heading into southern Chilton County between Pletcher and Billingsley. The tornado was fairly weak at this time, blowing down and snapping off several large trees in rural areas. As the tornado approached the west side of Interstate 65, the tornado increased to F2 intensity and caused considerable damage to several structures. Continuing northeast, the tornado weakened a bit as it crossed Interstate 65 in the vicinity of mile marker 202, approximately 3 miles south of the Clanton Exit. The tornado was still strong enough at this time to down several large trees and block the northbound lanes of traffic. After crossing the interstate, the tornado regained F2 intensity moving through the Cooper Community. The tornado produced extensive structural damage in Cooper. Several homes, businesses, mobile homes and out-buildings were damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of trees were blown down or snapped off in this area. The tornado moved across eastern Chilton County and went across Lake Mitchell. At Lake Mitchell, on the Chilton/Coosa County Line, numerous homes and mobile homes were destroyed generally between Blue Creek and Cargle Creek. The tornado crossed Lake Mitchell and moved into the Coosa Wildlife Management Area along Hatchet Creek. Hundreds of trees were splintered in this area. The tornado then moved through rural Coosa County crossing US 231 just south of the Hanover Community. The tornado dissipated shortly after US 231. The tornado damage path was 49.1 miles long and an astounding 1400 yards wide at its widest point. No injuries or fatalities were reported with this strong tornado. Begin: 32 35.77/86 53.11 End: 32 59.99/86 11.45 | |||||||||||
| 39.6 | 1970-04-02 | 2 | 32°40'N / 86°55'W | 32°42'N / 86°50'W | 5.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dallas |
| 40.2 | 1976-03-12 | 3 | 32°35'N / 86°55'W | 32°34'N / 86°38'W | 16.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Autauga |
| 42.7 | 1963-04-29 | 2 | 32°29'N / 86°46'W | 32°36'N / 86°39'W | 10.60 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Autauga |
| 42.9 | 1996-03-18 | 2 | 32°24'N / 86°51'W | 32°18'N / 86°27'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Montgomery |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado began about 1.5 miles south of Gordonville in central Lowndes County at 7:12 pm and noved northeasterly taking it south and east of Moses and just north of Hayneville. The tornado crossed County Road 21 5 to 6 miles north-northeast Hayneville. The tornado crossed the Lowndes-Montgomery county line just south of U. S. 80 around 7:39 pm and dissipated about three miles into Montgomery County around 7:43 pm. Two people were injured when a couple of mobile homes were destroyed on Highway 21 north of Hayneville. | |||||||||||
| 43.4 | 1967-12-18 | 3 | 32°26'N / 88°09'W | 32°30'N / 88°03'W | 7.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sumter |
| 44.4 | 1973-03-16 | 2 | 32°54'N / 87°40'W | 32°55'N / 87°36'W | 4.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hale |
| 45.1 | 1996-03-18 | 2 | 32°09'N / 86°45'W | 32°17'N / 86°29'W | 16.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 100K | 25K | Lowndes |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado began about 1.5 miles south of Gordonville in central Lowndes County at 7:12 pm and noved northeasterly taking it south and east of Moses and just north of Hayneville. The tornado crossed County Road 21 5 to 6 miles north-northeast Hayneville. The tornado crossed the Lowndes-Montgomery county line just south of U. S. 80 around 7:39 pm and dissipated about three miles into Montgomery County around 7:43 pm. Two people were injured when a couple of mobile homes were destroyed on Highway 21 north of Hayneville. | |||||||||||
| 45.2 | 1963-01-19 | 2 | 31°43'N / 87°47'W | 31°45'N / 87°45'W | 3.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Clarke |
| 45.4 | 1984-04-22 | 2 | 32°56'N / 87°10'W | 1.00 Mile | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bibb | |
| 45.7 | 1964-12-24 | 2 | 31°48'N / 86°53'W | 31°50'N / 86°49'W | 4.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Butler |
| 46.0 | 2004-11-24 | 2 | 32°23'N / 86°40'W | 32°28'N / 86°33'W | 9.70 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 1 | 900K | 0 | Autauga |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down 2.5 miles to the southwest of Autaugaville. The tornado then moved northeastward across Clark's Landing, where it destroyed several mobile homes, travel campers, and boats. After crossing Swift Creek, the tornado crumpled 2 high-voltage power line towers before moving across the Forester Community, where it partially damaged or completely destroyed several structures. Shortly after crossing CR 14, the tornado dissipated. Numerous structures and homes were destroyed along the path of the tornado. One woman sustained minor head injuries as she rode out the tornado in her car. The tornado damage path was 9.7 miles long and was 500 yards wide at its widest point. Begin: 32 23.62/86 40.37 End: 32 27.67/86 31.67 | |||||||||||
| 46.1 | 1996-03-18 | 2 | 31°32'N / 87°27'W | 31°44'N / 87°19'W | 11.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 150K | 0 | Monroe |
| Brief Description: THE SAME STORM SYSTEM THAT DROPPED A COUPLE OF TORNADOES IN CLARKE COUNTY MOVED INTO MONROE COUNTY AND DROPPED A TORNADO FOUR MILES EAST OF CLAIBORNE LAKE, JUST WEST OF COUNTY ROAD 17. THE TORNADO MOVED NORTHEAST AND MOVED THROUGH FRANKLIN ALONG STATE HWY 41. THE TORNADO THEN MOVED BACK INTO THE CLOUD JUST WEST OF COUNTY ROAD 56, SIX MILES SOUTH OF VREDENBURGH. THE TORNADO SKIPPED ALONG THE GROUND FOR ABOUT ELEVEN MILES. THREE MOBILE HOMES AND A HOUSE WERE DESTROYED NEAR FRANKLIN. FIVE PEOPLE WERE INJURED, BUT NONE SERIOUSLY. TREES AND POWER LINES WERE BLOWN DOWN ALONG THE TRACK OF THE TORNADO. SHEDS AND BARNS ALONG THE TRACK OF THE TORNADO ALSO SUFFERED DAMAGE. TREES FALLING ON HOMES ALSO CAUSED SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. OTHER HOMES HAD ROOF DAMAGE WHEN SHINGLES WERE BLOWN OFF. | |||||||||||
| 46.5 | 1979-11-25 | 2 | 31°37'N / 88°01'W | 32°00'N / 87°50'W | 28.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Clarke |
| 46.5 | 1963-03-17 | 3 | 32°56'N / 87°09'W | 32°57'N / 87°07'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 0K | 0 | Bibb |
| 46.6 | 1956-12-23 | 2 | 31°25'N / 87°21'W | 32°08'N / 86°25'W | 73.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Monroe |
| 46.9 | 1977-02-23 | 2 | 32°50'N / 87°53'W | 0.20 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Greene | |
| 47.1 | 1971-02-26 | 3 | 32°49'N / 87°56'W | 32°50'N / 87°52'W | 4.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Greene |
| 47.8 | 1960-03-29 | 2 | 31°36'N / 87°18'W | 31°38'N / 87°13'W | 5.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Monroe |
| 48.1 | 1971-04-23 | 4 | 31°30'N / 87°18'W | 31°46'N / 87°00'W | 25.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Monroe |
| 48.1 | 1973-05-27 | 4 | 32°50'N / 87°17'W | 33°05'N / 86°56'W | 26.70 Miles | 800 Yards | 5 | 47 | 25.0M | 0 | Bibb |
| 48.5 | 1961-12-12 | 2 | 32°24'N / 88°23'W | 32°32'N / 88°00'W | 24.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sumter |
| 48.7 | 1960-06-15 | 2 | 31°37'N / 87°35'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Clarke | |||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.