High Surf in Alabama

8 high surf events since 2001

Every high surf event the National Weather Service has filed in Alabama, year by year, with the most significant episodes. Large waves breaking on the shore that caused damage, erosion or casualties.

The most significant on the map

The most significant high surf episodes in Alabama.

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

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The record

Events: 8
Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Damage: $8.1 million

Every year

The most significant

Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.

Tornadoes and Storm Surge in Alabama, June 20 to 23, 20172 deaths · $655,000 · EF1 · 24 eventsTropical Storm Cindy first developed in the central Gulf of Mexico on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 20th and made landfall between Cameron, LA and Port Arthur, TX during the early morning hours of Thursday, June 22nd.
Storm Surge and Flash Flood in Alabama, November 9 to 10, 2009$8.0 million · 3 eventsDuring the early morning hours of 10 November 2009 (540 AM CST), Tropical Storm Ida made initial landfall near Dauphin Island, Alabama with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with locally higher gusts. A second landfall occurred around 6 AM CST near Bon Secour, Alabama.
High Surf in Alabama, August 22, 2007$100,000 · 1 eventHigh water caused minor flooding on Dauphin Island.
Coastal Flood and High Surf in Alabama, October 26 to 27, 20153 eventsThe remnants of Hurricane Patricia and an upper level storm system resulted in the development of a strong non tropical low over the northwest Gulf of Mexico.
High Surf in Alabama, September 22 to 23, 20042 eventsAbout a week after Hurricane Ivan impacted the area on September 16th, the remnants of the storm re-entered the Gulf of Mexico after making a large clockwise loop over the southeastern United States.
High Surf in Alabama, October 13, 2001$3,000 · 1 eventSoutherly winds of 15 to 25 mph caused heavy surf along the coastal area. The strong winds caused tides of 1-2 feet above normal. The higher than normal tides sent water splashing over the Causeway, and also put some water in the road near the Dog River.
High Surf in Alabama, July 1, 20031 eventHigh waves, that were triggered as Tropical Storm Bill moved inland west of our area, caused some tidal flooding along the west end of Dauphin Island. This same area lost its dunes over the past few years as tropical systems washed the sand away.

High Surf everywhere Every kind of event in Alabama

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.