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Hurricane Risk for Mobile, AL

No tropical storms currently threaten the Mobile area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1851, 167 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Mobile. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Mobile's location on a protected bay off the central Gulf Coast and long history of close hurricane tracks make storm surge and coastal flooding the dominant threats, with Hurricane Sally's 2020 surge and prolonged flooding underscoring the city's vulnerability.

By the numbers

Total storms
167
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
32
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
80
all categories
County
Mobile County
Alabama

Most recent hurricane

Francine (2024)

Passed within 135 miles of Mobile on September 12, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Camille (1969)

Reached Cat 5 (172 mph) at its peak. Passed within 85 miles of Mobile.

Closest approach ever

Unnamed (1944)

Passed just 3.4 miles from Mobile on September 11, 1944.

When hurricanes hit Mobile

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:

Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
1
Jun
15
Jul
19
Aug
34
Sep
62
Oct
34
Nov
2
Dec
0

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

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Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Mobile residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Francine 2024 Cat 2 135 mi Sep 12, 2024
Ida 2021 Cat 4 162 mi Aug 30, 2021
Sally 2020 Cat 2 30 mi Sep 16, 2020
Zeta 2020 Cat 3 116 mi Oct 29, 2020
Marco 2020 Cat 1 142 mi Aug 24, 2020
Barry 2019 Cat 1 178 mi Jul 10, 2019
Michael 2018 Cat 5 157 mi Oct 10, 2018
Nate 2017 Cat 1 53 mi Oct 08, 2017
Isaac 2012 Cat 1 148 mi Aug 29, 2012
Ida 2009 Cat 2 28 mi Nov 10, 2009
Gustav 2008 Cat 4 188 mi Sep 01, 2008
Paloma 2008 Cat 4 192 mi Nov 14, 2008
Humberto 2007 Cat 1 188 mi Sep 14, 2007

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Mobile is in Mobile County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.