Storm Center · Baldwin & Mobile County, AL
The Gulf Coast storm record your roof lives in
Roofing on the Eastern Shore and Mobile Bay isn't like roofing anywhere else — it's a storm decision. Since 2000, the National Weather Service has logged hundreds of severe hail and wind reports across our two counties, and since 1950, 52 named storms have tracked within 100 miles of Mobile Bay. We pulled the real NOAA data — sourced and stamped — so you can see exactly what your roof is up against.
The recorded record
What Baldwin & Mobile County roofs actually face
These are real severe-weather reports logged by the National Weather Service for our two counties since 2000 — the storms your roof has to survive. Hail bruises and fractures shingles, straight-line wind lifts and peels them, and the damage is often invisible from the ground until it leaks.
Baldwin County
2000–2025- 67severe hail reports
- across 44 separate days — largest stone 4″ (softball-sized) in 2021
- 210damaging-wind reports
- peak recorded gust 120 mph (2009)
- 53tornadoes
- strongest on record EF3 — most recent 2025
Mobile County
2000–2025- 70severe hail reports
- across 49 separate days — largest stone 2″ (hen-egg-sized) in 2010
- 267damaging-wind reports
- peak recorded gust 90 mph (2025)
- 66tornadoes
- strongest on record EF2 — most recent 2025
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe-weather report database (recorded reports, 2000–2025). Figures are county-level recorded reports — the SPC database undercounts rural and unwitnessed events, so the real totals are higher. Severe hail counts reports of 1″ or larger. NOAA SPC data
Hurricane history
The storms that have found Mobile Bay
Since 1950, dozens of named Atlantic systems have tracked within 100 miles of Mobile Bay. Each storm below shows how close its center actually came — a direct hit like Ivan or Sally is a different event from a powerful near-miss like Camille or Katrina passing to the west.
- 52
- named storms within 100 mi
- 14
- at hurricane strength near the bay
- 27
- with a landfall in the area
Direct hits — storms whose center crossed within 25 miles
Sally (2020) · Ida (2009) · Ivan (2004) · Hanna (2002) · Danny (1997) · Juan (1985) · Irene (1959) · Baker (1950)
- 1969Cat 5
Camillelandfall
Center passed ~84 mi from the bay
Category 5 hurricane near the bay · peak 173 mph
- 2005Cat 3
Dennislandfall
Center passed ~54 mi from the bay
Category 3 hurricane near the bay · peak 150 mph
- 2005Cat 3
Katrinalandfall
Center passed ~96 mi from the bay
Category 3 hurricane near the bay · peak 173 mph
- 2004Cat 3
Ivanlandfall
Center passed ~12 mi from the bay
Category 3 hurricane near the bay · peak 167 mph
- 1995Cat 3
Opallandfall
Center passed ~54 mi from the bay
Category 3 hurricane near the bay · peak 150 mph
- 1985Cat 3
Elenalandfall
Center passed ~49 mi from the bay
Category 3 hurricane near the bay · peak 127 mph
- 2020Cat 2
Sallylandfall
Center passed ~18 mi from the bay
Category 2 hurricane near the bay · peak 109 mph
- 1979Cat 2
Frederic
Center passed ~43 mi from the bay
Category 2 hurricane near the bay · peak 132 mph
- 1998Cat 1
Earl
Center passed ~97 mi from the bay
Category 1 hurricane near the bay · peak 98 mph
- 1956Cat 1
Flossylandfall
Center passed ~39 mi from the bay
Category 1 hurricane near the bay · peak 92 mph
- 1950Cat 1
Bakerlandfall
Center passed ~10 mi from the bay
Category 1 hurricane near the bay · peak 104 mph
- 1997Cat 1
Dannylandfall
Center passed ~3 mi from the bay
Category 1 hurricane near the bay · peak 81 mph
Source: NOAA HURDAT2 Atlantic best-track database; closest-approach distances computed from each storm's 6-hourly best-track to lower Mobile Bay. Intensity shown at closest approach. HURDAT2
The federal record
When the storm is bad enough, it becomes a federal disaster
A federally-declared disaster is a high bar — it takes real, widespread damage. Baldwin and Mobile County have crossed it dozens of times. This is the official FEMA record for our two counties.
Baldwin County
1970–202434 were storm-related (hurricane, tropical/severe storm, tornado, flood). Most recent: Hurricane Helene (2024).
Mobile County
1970–202436 were storm-related (hurricane, tropical/severe storm, tornado, flood). Most recent: Hurricane Helene (2024).
Named storms that drew a federal disaster declaration here
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (federally-declared disasters, deduped by declaration). A declaration requires significant damage, so this undercounts smaller storms. OpenFEMA
After a storm
What to do the day after — a homeowner's checklist
The decisions you make in the first 48 hours after a hail or wind event shape both your roof and your insurance claim. Here's the playbook we give our own neighbors.
Stay safe, then look from the ground
Don't climb a wet or storm-damaged roof. From the ground, look for missing or lifted shingles, granules in the gutters and downspout splash, dented vents or flashing, and any new ceiling stains inside.
Photograph everything, dated
Take wide and close photos of the roof, gutters, screens, and any interior water marks before anyone touches them. Timestamped photos are the backbone of an insurance claim.
Get a written inspection
Hail and wind damage is often invisible from the ground — bruised shingles, fractured mats, loosened seals. A documented roof inspection tells you whether you have a repair, a claim, or nothing to worry about.
Know your claim clock
Most Alabama policies require prompt notice of storm damage. Read your declarations page for the windstorm/hurricane deductible and the filing deadline, and don't let interior damage spread while you wait.
Be wary of storm-chasers
After every big storm, out-of-town crews flood the coast, collect deposits, and disappear. Work with a licensed, insured local roofer who will still be here when the warranty matters.
Rebuild stronger than before
If your roof needs replacing anyway, it's the moment to harden it against the next storm — and Alabama's roof grant can pay up to $10,000 toward a fortified roof.
Get ahead of the next one
Alabama will pay up to $10,000 to fortify your roof
The Strengthen Alabama Homes grant funds a FORTIFIED roof built to survive exactly the hail and hurricane-force wind in the data above — and it can cut the wind portion of your insurance premium too. It's competitive and the windows close fast, so it pays to be ready.
Where to go next
Start here
- Storm damage repairDocumenting what the storm did, and working the insurance side alongside it.
- Emergency roof repairWater coming in right now? What to do before anybody arrives.
- How a roof claim runsThe five stages, and why cause decides a claim while condition does not.
- FORTIFIED roofingThe standard built for exactly the wind record this coast has.
Think a storm got your roof?
Liberty Roofing Company has been documenting Gulf Coast storm damage for over 30 years. We'll inspect your roof, photograph what we find, and give you a straight answer — free.