Butler County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Alabama Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Butler County is about the same as Alabama average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Butler County is much lower than Alabama average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #61
| Butler County | 0.01 |
| 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
| Butler County | 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, #59
| Butler County | 140.23 |
| 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 7,437 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Butler County 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: | 70 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 75 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 542 | Hail: | 2,029 | Heat: | 108 | Heavy Snow: | 24 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 4 | Ice Storm: | 6 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 61 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 3,968 | Tropical Storm: | 18 | Wildfire: | 8 | Winter Storm: | 16 | Winter Weather: | 28 |
| Other: | 480 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Butler County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Butler County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Butler County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 62 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Butler County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 5.1 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°46'N / 86°43'W | 31°51'N / 86°32'W | 12.30 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Butler |
| 10.8 | 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 |
| 11.9 | 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 |
| 12.3 | 1969-04-18 | 4 | 31°50'N / 86°38'W | 31°56'N / 86°27'W | 12.80 Miles | 500 Yards | 2 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Butler |
| 12.4 | 1979-11-25 | 2 | 31°52'N / 86°40'W | 31°59'N / 86°35'W | 9.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Butler |
| 13.5 | 1956-05-03 | 3 | 31°36'N / 86°33'W | 31°37'N / 86°30'W | 3.80 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Covington |
| 14.1 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°31'N / 86°40'W | 31°35'N / 86°38'W | 5.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Butler |
| 16.8 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°24'N / 86°54'W | 31°38'N / 86°37'W | 23.20 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 18.5 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°27'N / 86°42'W | 31°31'N / 86°40'W | 5.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Covington |
| 21.4 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°26'N / 86°42'W | 31°27'N / 86°42'W | 1.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 22.2 | 1979-07-11 | 2 | 31°24'N / 86°37'W | 31°29'N / 86°33'W | 7.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 0K | 0 | Covington |
| 23.1 | 1964-04-28 | 2 | 32°03'N / 86°29'W | 31°59'N / 86°24'W | 6.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lowndes |
| 23.7 | 1985-09-23 | 2 | 31°25'N / 87°00'W | 31°40'N / 87°00'W | 15.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 23.8 | 1979-11-25 | 2 | 31°59'N / 86°35'W | 32°10'N / 86°30'W | 13.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 12 | 25K | 0 | Lowndes |
| 24.5 | 1973-11-20 | 2 | 31°43'N / 86°16'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crenshaw | |||
| 24.8 | 2007-03-01 | 2 | 32°01'N / 86°27'W | 32°04'N / 86°25'W | 3.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 4 | 50K | 0K | Lowndes |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: What would eventually become a large tornado first touched down in far southeastern Lowndes County, along US Highway 31 in the Sandy Ridge Community. The tornado tracked northeastward, roughly parallel to US 31, before moving into extreme southwestern Montgomery County. During its short path in Lowndes County, the tornado damaged several structures and downed numerous trees. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A powerful spring storm system brought an outbreak of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail to Central Alabama. | |||||||||||
| 25.5 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°25'N / 87°03'W | 31°29'N / 86°49'W | 14.50 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 26.2 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°55'N / 87°05'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wilcox | |
| 26.9 | 1983-12-28 | 2 | 31°17'N / 86°38'W | 31°29'N / 86°26'W | 15.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Covington |
| 27.6 | 1965-09-29 | 2 | 31°42'N / 86°13'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Crenshaw | |||
| 28.7 | 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 |
| 31.3 | 1976-03-31 | 2 | 31°23'N / 86°23'W | 31°24'N / 86°20'W | 3.80 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Covington |
| 32.0 | 1969-05-18 | 2 | 31°33'N / 86°14'W | 31°35'N / 86°08'W | 6.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Crenshaw |
| 32.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 32.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 32.9 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 32°09'N / 86°35'W | 32°15'N / 86°24'W | 12.80 Miles | 117 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lowndes |
| 33.0 | 1962-01-05 | 2 | 31°18'N / 86°30'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Covington | |||
| 33.3 | 1974-01-20 | 2 | 31°43'N / 86°07'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pike | |||
| 33.7 | 1963-04-29 | 2 | 32°11'N / 86°31'W | 32°12'N / 86°21'W | 9.80 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lowndes |
| 34.7 | 1985-09-23 | 2 | 31°18'N / 87°06'W | 31°25'N / 87°00'W | 7.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 34.9 | 1969-04-18 | 4 | 31°56'N / 86°27'W | 32°13'N / 86°00'W | 32.80 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Crenshaw |
| 35.1 | 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 |
| 36.3 | 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 |
| 37.1 | 1958-02-06 | 2 | 31°43'N / 86°07'W | 31°50'N / 85°59'W | 11.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pike |
| 38.1 | 1971-09-17 | 3 | 31°25'N / 86°10'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffee | |
| 38.5 | 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 |
| 39.2 | 2006-11-15 | 2 | 31°12'N / 86°22'W | 31°23'N / 86°13'W | 16.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0K | Covington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down near Hillcrest Ponds around the junction of county roads 34 and 45, then moved northeast, before lifting back into the clouds near county road 70 just west of Friendship. Considerable damage occurred along the path of the tornado. The first residence hit had two large grain silos torn from their foundations. One was thrown roughly 15 yards, the other about 150 yards across the road and into a nearby pasture. Another home sustained considerable damage when an outbuilding was lifted by the tornado and thrown into the home. Several other homes along the path of the tornado suffered roof damage. The most significant and widespread damage along the path of the tornado occurred near Opine, where up to six commercial poultry farm buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. Approximately 130,000 chickens were killed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Strong southerly winds developed ahead of a cold front and caused low level shear to increase across the area. This low level shear aided in the development of several tornadoes across the area. | |||||||||||
| 39.7 | 1966-11-10 | 2 | 32°18'N / 86°30'W | 32°16'N / 86°21'W | 9.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lowndes |
| 40.0 | 1962-01-05 | 2 | 31°45'N / 86°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pike | |
| 40.5 | 1961-04-27 | 2 | 31°40'N / 86°00'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Pike | |||
| 41.1 | 1972-07-03 | 2 | 31°48'N / 85°59'W | 0.30 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pike | |
| 41.3 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 32°18'N / 86°24'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 41.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.3 | 2008-02-17 | 2 | 31°06'N / 86°48'W | 31°11'N / 86°42'W | 9.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 700K | 0K | Escambia |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A strong EF-2 tornado first touched down over a heavily forested area about 5 miles southwest of Dixie and then moved northeast across the forest crossing highway 29 just to the west of Dixie. The tornado then continued northeast across heavily forested areas moving into western Covington county 3.1 miles northeast of Dixie. Significant tree damage occurred along the track of the tornado with structural damage confined to the populated area of Dixie. Three homes were destroyed in Dixie and two large towers were damaged. Two occupants of one of the homes that was destroyed in Dixie got into an interior bathroom on the lowest floor of the two story house and covered themselves with cushions. The tornado tore off the top story of the home and damaged the lower floor but the two residents were unharmed. Some century old headstones were blown over in a cemetery just north of Dixie. No injuries were reported. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The long lived supercell that moved through northwest Florida, passed into Alabama producing a tornado along with hail and wind damage. | |||||||||||
| 42.4 | 1957-06-28 | 2 | 31°25'N / 87°24'W | 31°32'N / 87°15'W | 12.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 42.4 | 1978-04-18 | 3 | 31°32'N / 87°27'W | 31°35'N / 87°17'W | 10.50 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | Monroe |
| 43.0 | 1973-04-18 | 2 | 31°25'N / 86°04'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 14 | 2.5M | 0 | Coffee | |
| 43.1 | 1984-10-15 | 2 | 31°18'N / 87°14'W | 31°20'N / 87°11'W | 3.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Conecuh |
| 43.8 | 1974-12-19 | 3 | 31°56'N / 85°58'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Pike | |
| 45.3 | 1956-12-23 | 2 | 32°08'N / 86°25'W | 32°25'N / 86°01'W | 30.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Montgomery |
| 45.5 | 1986-11-26 | 2 | 31°46'N / 85°58'W | 31°49'N / 85°51'W | 8.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Pike |
| 46.7 | 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 | |||||||||||
| 47.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 47.6 | 1967-12-02 | 2 | 31°26'N / 87°24'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe | |
| 47.8 | 1955-04-21 | 2 | 32°23'N / 87°01'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dallas | |
| 48.1 | 1984-05-03 | 3 | 32°22'N / 86°24'W | 32°26'N / 86°22'W | 6.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 5 | 37 | 2.5M | 0 | Montgomery |
| 48.9 | 1978-05-01 | 2 | 32°24'N / 87°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dallas | |
| 48.9 | 1980-09-01 | 2 | 32°24'N / 87°01'W | 0.20 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dallas | |
| 48.9 | 1961-12-10 | 3 | 31°07'N / 87°03'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Escambia | |
| 49.3 | 2008-02-17 | 3 | 32°24'N / 86°28'W | 32°28'N / 86°24'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 50 | 10.0M | 0K | Autauga |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down near the waste water treatment facility south southwest of the city of Prattville. It then tracked northeastward and crossed US Highway 82, US Highway 31, and Cobbs Ford Road. The southern and eastern parts of Prattville sustained significant damage. The highest winds likely occurred along Cobbs Ford Road/East Main Street near McQueen Smith Road and in the Silver Hills Subdivision. An estimated 200 residential homes and 40 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. In addition, 50 injuries were reported, but there were no fatalities. 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. | |||||||||||
| 49.5 | 1959-07-01 | 2 | 32°25'N / 87°00'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Dallas | |
* 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.