Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, March 27, 1994

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, March 27, 1994
Start: 1994-03-27T10:55
End: 1994-03-27T19:35
Location: Alabama

March 27, 1994 · 49 events in 20 counties and zones

29 hail, 14 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 45 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 22
Injuries: 254
Property damage: $17 million
Crop damage: $55 million
Events: 49

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

29 hail, 14 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, St. Clair, Calhoun and Cherokee

When: March 27, 10:55 AM CST to 11:52 AM CST
Where: St. Clair, Calhoun and Cherokee County, Ragland to 5 Ne Rock
Rating: F4
Path length: 50 mi
Path width: 880 yd
Deaths: 22 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 150 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $50 million
Coordinates: 33.720, -86.150

A tornado began about one mile south-southwest of Ragland in St. Clair County at 1055 CST and traveled northeast at between 45 and 55 miles an hour crossing the Alabama/Georgia border about five miles northeast of Rock Run in Cherokee County. The tornado moved across County Highway 144 just south-southwest of Ragland where it first began then destroyed a number of structures along 144 to the east of Ragland. The tornado crossed primarily wooded land before moving through a camping area on the west side of Neely Henry Lake. A woman was killed outside on the west side of the lake as she tried to secure a boat. The tornado crossed Neely Henry Lake just north of the dam as it moved into Calhoun County. Twenty-six homes were damaged, 18 homes were destroyed, and 20 mobile homes were destroyed in St. Clair County. Moving into Calhoun County at 1104 CST, the storm continued on a steady northeast track (60 degree heading) crossing the north side of Ohatchee. The storm crossed U.S. Highway 431 at 1120 CST where one man was killed when the van he was in was thrown into a ditch. Three other people in the van were injured. The storm continued northeast across mostly woodlands with only scattered structures, mostly homes, in its path. It crossed U.S. Highway 278 between four and five miles west-northwest of Piedmont. The storm entered Cherokee County at 1135 CST. At 1139 CST the tornado destroyed the Goshen United Methodist Church located one mile north of the Cherokee/Calhoun County line on County Highway 9 killing 20 people and injuring 92. The tornado continued northeast across Cherokee County reaching the Alabama/Georgia state line at approximately 1152 CST. Deaths: St. Clair County - (F540); Calhoun County - (M49V); Cherokee County - (F02O) (M03O) (F04O) (M05O) (F10O) (M12O) (F24O) (M25O) (F34O) (M34O) (M37O) (M38O) (M39O) (M44O) (F50O) (M54O) (F54O) (M64O) (F72O) (M79O)

Tornado, Marshall

When: March 27, 11:02 AM CST to 11:08 AM CST
Where: Marshall County, Guntersville
Rating: F2
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Injuries: 30 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 34.367, -86.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tornado travelled southwest to northeast across an area just south of the city of Guntersville. The tornado apparently began along Highway 79 South then cross Big Spring Creek damaging a number of residential structures along Spring Creek Drive. The tornado appeared to weaken, but was still strong enough to rip off the top part of the roof to the Marshall Nursing Home and damaging several houses near the entrance to Happy Home. It crossed U.S. Highway 431 near the high school taking out some trees on the side of the mountain and damaging a couple of homes. A total of 103 houses were damaged, 45 of them along Spring Creek Drive and eight along Highway 79 South.

Tornado, Dekalb

When: March 27, 11:32 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, Grove Oak to Rainsvil
Rating: F4
Path length: 23 mi
Path width: 700 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 34.430, -85.980

A tornado struck near the Grove Oak area in the western sections of Dekalb County moving northeast through the towns of Rainsville, Sylvania, and Henager. In the path of the tornado, Emergency Management personnel reported 16 homes and 13 mobile homes completely destroyed, 45 homes and two mobile homes with major damage, and 21 homes and nine mobile home with minor damage. Two businesses and 12 poultry houses were destroyed.

Hail, Cherokee

When: March 27, 11:50 AM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Centre
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.176, -85.604 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported in southern Cherokee County with the thunderstorm that produced the tornado.

Tornado, Blount

When: March 27, 11:57 AM CST
Where: Blount County, Nectar
Rating: F0
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 33.930, -86.670

A tornado was reported in the Sugar Creek Community about three miles southwest of Nectar along Alabama 160. The storm damaged six homes, downed power lines and trees, and destroyed three greenhouses and damaged a fourth.

Hail, Lowndes

When: March 27, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.155, -86.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail reported in Lowndes County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Winston

When: March 27, 1:10 PM CST
Where: Winston County, Arley
Coordinates: 34.149, -87.374 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind downed trees up to 18 inches in diameter which also downed power lines.

Hail, Etowah

When: March 27, 1:10 PM CST
Where: Etowah County, Gadsden
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 34.045, -86.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm moving across Etowah County produced a number of weather events including hail to half dollar size.

Thunderstorm Wind, Etowah

When: March 27, 1:10 PM CST
Where: Etowah County, Gadsden
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph)
Coordinates: 34.045, -86.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm moving across Etowah County produced a number of weather events including hail to half dollar size.

Hail, Pickens

When: March 27, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Pickens County, Carrollton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.281, -88.089 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A thunderstorm produced wind damage in the Carrollton-Gordo area as well as in the Reform area. Damage was light in the Reform area with a number of trees down, several blocking roads and several falling on other buildings. In the area from Carrollton to Gordo, many trees were downed and a number of structures sustained minor damage. A house near Aliceville reportedly suffered major damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pickens

When: March 27, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Pickens County
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 33.281, -88.089 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Fayette

When: March 27, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, Concord
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.721, -87.739 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail in sizes from quarter to golf ball were reported in Concord in southern Fayette County.

Hail, Tuscaloosa

When: March 27, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Eagle Cove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous weather events were reported with a thunderstorm moving across Tuscaloosa County.

Hail, Tuscaloosa

When: March 27, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Near Coker
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous weather events were reported with a thunderstorm moving across Tuscaloosa County.

Hail, Tuscaloosa

When: March 27, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Morrisbridge
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous weather events were reported with a thunderstorm moving across Tuscaloosa County.

Tornado, Tuscaloosa

When: March 27, 4:02 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Crop damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tornado struck in an unpopulated area of Tuscaloosa County about 15 miles northeast of the center of Tuscaloosa. A 115 kilovolt power transmission line operated by Alabama Power Company was broken when two power structures were downed; a third was leaning.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Alliance
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees six to eight inches in diameter were reported downed with the wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Alliance
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees six to eight inches in diameter were reported downed with the wind.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:23 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Birmingport
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind estimated at 60 miles an hour downed trees and powerlines in the Warrior area.

Hail, Walker

When: March 27, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Walker County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.803, -87.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three-quarter-inch hail was reported in Eastern Walker County.

Hail, Walker

When: March 27, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Walker County, Sipsey
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.803, -87.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three-quarter-inch hail was reported in Eastern Walker County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walker

When: March 27, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Walker County, Sipsey
Coordinates: 33.803, -87.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three-quarter-inch hail was reported in Eastern Walker County.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Alliance
Measured: 3 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind estimated at 60 miles an hour downed trees and powerlines in the Warrior area.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Maytown
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind estimated at 60 miles an hour downed trees and powerlines in the Warrior area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Warrior
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind estimated at 60 miles an hour downed trees and powerlines in the Warrior area.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:31 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Forestdale
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines reported down in Hueytown.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:31 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Graysville
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines reported down in Hueytown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:32 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Hueytown
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines reported down in Hueytown.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Us 78 West
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail reported in western Birmingham at the Birmingham State Trooper Post on U.S. Highway 78. ~ Fultondale,27,1640CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (1.75) Airport,27,1644CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (0.75) Tarrant,27,1644CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (1.00) Near Pinson,27,1645CST,,,?,?,?,?,Funnel Cloud Pinson,27,1645CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (1.75) Centerpoint,27,1647CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (1.75) Birmingham,27,1651CST,,,?,?,?,?,Hail (0.75) Three-quarter-inch hail reported at Medical Center East in Birmingham.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Minor
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: March 27, 4:47 PM CST
Where: Greene County, Near Jena
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 32.853, -87.952 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind with a thunderstorm gusted to over 55 mph destroying one mobile home and pushing a second one off its foundation in northern Greene County southwest of Jena.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:52 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Centerpoint
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind downed eight-inch diameter trees in Trussville.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Trussville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind downed eight-inch diameter trees in Trussville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Airport Rd
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large power lines were downed by thunderstorm wind at Airport Road and Interstate 20/59. The interstate highway was closed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: March 27, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Trussville
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm wind downed eight-inch diameter trees in Trussville.

Hail, St. Clair

When: March 27, 5:03 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Springville
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.716, -86.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, St. Clair

When: March 27, 5:06 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Odenville-Argo Area
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.716, -86.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Hale

When: March 27, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Hale County, Greensboro
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 32.763, -87.629 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was destroyed and a portion of a building supply company was damaged in thunderstorm wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscaloosa

When: March 27, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, Vance
Coordinates: 33.290, -87.525 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were downed on Highway 5 in Tuscaloosa County near the Bibb County line.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 5:29 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Hueytown
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Calhoun

When: March 27, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Ohatchee
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.771, -85.826 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at Ohatchee with numerous trees down on Highway 204 near U.S. Highway 431.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 27, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Ohatchee
Coordinates: 33.771, -85.826 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at Ohatchee with numerous trees down on Highway 204 near U.S. Highway 431.

Tornado, Shelby

When: March 27, 5:31 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Shelby County
Rating: F2
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 53 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 33.300, -86.850

A tornado began on the north side of Helena on the Bearden Farm moving northeastward crossing Alabama 261 near Pelham High School. The school suffered some damage. Continuing northeast, the tornado caused damage in a residential section before doing extensive damage to two mobile home parks on the west side of U.S. Highway 31 on the north side of Pelham. The tornado did extensive to businesses in the stretch from the U.S. 31/Alabama 119 intersection to the Alabama 119/Interstate 65 intersection. The tornado continued on its track going through primarily residential areas of Pelham and Indian Springs. The tornado dissipated just before reaching the Meadow Brook area about two miles west of U.S. Highway 280. Areas in the path of the tornado included sections of Chandalar, Green Park South mobile home park, South Gate Mobile Home Park, Indian Springs Village, Broken Bow, Broken Bow South, and Riverchase.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blount

When: March 27, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Blount County, Oneonta
Coordinates: 33.981, -86.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind with a thunderstorm downed trees in the southwestern sections of Blount County in the same area affected by a storm earlier in the day.

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Homewood
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Us 280/I459
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Jefferson

When: March 27, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Lake Purdy
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.554, -86.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cleburne

When: March 27, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County, Heflin
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 33.675, -85.519 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail slightly larger than golf ball-size was reported at Heflin. A number of trees were downed by wind. Damage in Heflin began on U.S. Highway 78 West and crossed through town.

Hail, Clay

When: March 27, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Ashland
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 33.269, -85.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail about the size of nickels was reported about five miles west of Ashland.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 1994 Every state in 1994 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 1994 Warnings in Alabama, March 1994

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10313929, 10314079, 10314418, 10314707, 10314511, 10314352, 10313910, 10314560, 10314561, 10313774, 10313775, 10314605, 10314044, 10314045, 10314046, 10314047, 10314184, 10314185, 10314186, 10313800, 10313801, 10313802, 10314187, 10314188, 10314189, 10314190, 10314191, 10314192, 10314193, 10314224, 10314733, 10314194, 10314195, 10314196, 10314197, 10313891, 10313892, 10314735, 10314068, 10314198, and more.