Alabama, 2009

Hail and Damaging Winds in Alabama, March 27, 2009

March 27, 2009 · NWS MOB · 9 events in 5 counties and zones

A line of thunderstorms moved across southwest Alabama and produced numerous reports of wind damage and hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$292,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
9

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MOB wrote it up.

A line of thunderstorms moved across southwest Alabama and produced numerous reports of wind damage and hail.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 27, 1:16 AM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 27, 1:16 AM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
216 AM CDT FRI MAR 27 2009

.UPDATE...UPDATED THE ZONE PRODUCT TO INCLUDE WEATHER WATCH 74...IN
EFFECT THROUGH 8 AM CDT. REGULARLY SCHEDULED DISCUSSION FORTHCOMING
SHORTLY. /10

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MOBILE      76  65  72  45 / 100  90  80  10
PENSACOLA   76  66  72  49 / 100  90  90  10
DESTIN      74  68  71  50 /  90  80  90  20
EVERGREEN   74  64  73  45 / 100  90  90  10
WAYNESBORO  76  62  67  41 / 100  90  70  10
CAMDEN      74  64  71  45 / 100  90  90  10

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 8 AM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     BUTLER...CHOCTAW...CLARKE...CONECUH...COVINGTON...
     CRENSHAW...ESCAMBIA...LOWER BALDWIN...LOWER MOBILE...
     MONROE...UPPER BALDWIN...UPPER MOBILE...WASHINGTON...AND
     WILCOX.

FL...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 8 AM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     COASTAL ESCAMBIA...COASTAL OKALOOSA...COASTAL SANTA ROSA...
     INLAND ESCAMBIA...INLAND OKALOOSA...AND INLAND SANTA ROSA.

MS...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 8 AM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     GEORGE...GREENE...PERRY...STONE...AND WAYNE.

GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 1 PM SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM...
     COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20
     NM...MOBILE BAY...WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM
     20 TO 60 NM...AND WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS
     FROM 20 TO 60 NM.

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 26, 1:00 PM CST, 13 hours 20 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
200 PM CDT THU MAR 26 2009

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-GMZ630-650-655-670-675-MSZ067-075-076-078-
079-271900-
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-MOBILE BAY-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-WAYNE-PERRY-
GREENE-STONE-GEORGE-
200 PM CDT THU MAR 26 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...THE WESTERN FLORIDA
PANHANDLE...AND THE ADJACENT GULF COASTAL WATERS OF ALABAMA AND
NORTHWEST FLORIDA. PLEASE SEE THE ACCOMPANYING GRAPHICAL HAZARDOUS
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/HWO/INDEX.PHP.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SEVERAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED THROUGH EARLY
SATURDAY AS A FRONT BECOMES STATIONARY OVER THE AREA AND A SERIES OF
UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES MOVE EASTWARD ALONG IT.

ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED AGAIN LATE TONIGHT INTO
FRIDAY AS A SERIES OF SURFACE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS PERIODICALLY MOVE
FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGHOUT THE REGION. TOTAL RAINFALL
ACCUMULATIONS COULD BE UP TO 8 INCHES OVER SOME LOCALES. MOST AREAS
ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE AT LEAST THREE INCHES ENDING SATURDAY. A
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT.

IN ADDITION...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TONIGHT. DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE TONIGHT.

MODERATE TO STRONG SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL MAINTAIN HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS FOR SMALL CRAFT THROUGH THURSDAY...AND A CONTINUED HIGH
RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS WILL PREVAIL ALONG AREA BEACHES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY.

ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAINFALL AND POTENTIALLY AN EVEN GREATER
THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING AS A COLD FRONT MOVE ACROSS THE REGION. ALL MODES
OF SEVERE WEATHER ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS SYSTEM.

OUR LATEST FORECAST IS FOR CONTINUED TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
4 TO 8 INCHES ENDING SATURDAY. ISOLATED AREAS MAY RECEIVE EVEN MORE
RAINFALL. DUE TO THE LONG DURATION OF FORECAST HEAVY PRECIPITATION
ACROSS THE AREA...FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS...SMALL CREEKS AND
STREAMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE WEEK. SEVERAL AREA RIVERS AND
STREAMS ARE ALREADY AT ELEVATED LEVELS AND THIS RAINFALL WILL LIKELY
CAUSE MANY RIVERS ACROSS THE AREA TO GO ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY
SATURDAY. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

A MODERATE TO OCCASIONAL STRONG SOUTHERLY WIND WILL CONTINUE...ALONG
WITH SEAS OF 6 TO 9 FEET. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT. A
RISK FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS WILL CONTINUE ALONG AREA BEACHES
THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD BE ALERT
FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION THROUGH SATURDAY FOR FLASH FLOODING...SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES.

PLEASE SEE THE ACCOMPANYING GRAPHICAL HAZARDOUS  WEATHER OUTLOOK
FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/HWO/INDEX.PHP.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 26, 9:27 PM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1027 PM CDT THU MAR 26 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0655 AM     TORNADO          1 E APPLETON            31.22N 87.11W
03/26/2009                   ESCAMBIA           AL   NWS STORM SURVEY

            EF1 TORNADO DESTROYED A SMALL BARN...CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE
            TO SEVERAL HOMES AND OUTBUILDINGS...AND SNAPPED NUMEROUS
            LARGE PINES.

0800 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 NE ONYCHA             31.22N 86.27W
03/26/2009  E90 MPH          COVINGTON          AL   NWS STORM SURVEY

            TWO MOBILE HOMES DESTROYED AND SEVERAL OTHER STRUCTURES
            DAMAGED...INCLUDING HOMES AND METAL BUILDINGS.

&&

JOHNP

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 9 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mobile

When
March 27, 2:20 AM CST to 2:23 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, Dawes
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.600, -88.250

Winds estimated at 60 mph flipped a horse trailer and damaged the roof of a feed store.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mobile

When
March 27, 2:20 AM CST to 2:23 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, 3 mi S of Mobile Bates Fld
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.637, -88.230

Winds estimated at 60 mph caused roof and siding damage to a couple of homes in the McFarland Trace and Arlington Oaks Subdivisions. Fences and trees were also knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
March 27, 3:12 AM CST to 3:15 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 2 mi NNW of Robertsdale
Measured
75 kt (86 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.577, -87.733

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
March 27, 3:15 AM CST to 3:18 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, Robertsdale
Measured
104 kt (120 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$125,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.550, -87.720

An NWS Storm Survey found a path of straight line wind damage from 200 to 400 yards wide that was 2 miles long. The worst damage along the path occurred near the County Road 85 area just north of Highway 90 where 6 single family homes experienced significant structural damage to roofs and walls. Several out buildings and smaller structures were also destroyed near several residences along the path.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crenshaw

When
March 27, 3:58 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where
Crenshaw County, Highland Home
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$12,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.950, -86.320

Winds estimated at 60 mph damaged trees...powerlines and chicken houses along Highway 331 south of Highland Home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
March 27, 3:58 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, Brewton
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$35,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.120, -87.070

Winds estimted at 70 mph downed numerous pine trees in Brewton. A barn was also damaged along porch and roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
March 27, 4:10 AM CST to 4:14 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, Dixie
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.150, -86.730

Winds estimated at 70 mph downed numerous trees and powerlines in and around Dixie.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
March 27, 4:55 AM CST to 4:59 AM CST
Where
Covington County, Andalusia
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$35,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.300, -86.480

Winds estimated at 70 mph downed a tree on a house roof in Andalusia along with trees on two mobile homes roofs just north of Andalusia.

Hail, Baldwin

When
March 27, 9:05 PM CST to 9:07 PM CST
Where
Baldwin County, Elsanor
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.550, -87.580

What these are

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.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Alabama in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, March 2009

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: 160585, 160586, 160587, 160588, 160743, 160747, 160751, 160756, 160759.