Hurricane season in Alabama runs from June 1 through November 30 each year. And 2024 is likely to be more active than previous years, with Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) predicting activity that's 30% above the 30-year norm. [1]
We break down when and where Alabama homeowners are most likely to see a named storm make landfall in the Heart of Dixie, plus how to make sure you have the proper home insurance coverage to financially weather whatever storm Mother Nature throws your way.
What month does Alabama have the most hurricanes?
The month of September sees the most hurricanes make landfall in Alabama, followed by August and July. The months of June and November see the least amount of hurricanes touch down in Alabama during the traditional Atlantic hurricane season.
Total number of hurricanes by month in Alabama
Here’s the total number of hurricanes per month in Alabama between 1851 and 2021, according to the NOAA. [2]
Month | Number of hurricanes, 1851–2021 |
|---|---|
January | 0 |
February | 0 |
March | 0 |
April | 0 |
May | 0 |
June | 0 |
July | 6 |
August | 8 |
September | 13 |
October | 4 |
November | 0 |
December | 0 |
Where do hurricanes hit the most in Alabama?
Mobile and other cities along the southern Gulf Coast of Alabama experience the most hurricanes due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf’s high pressure and warm waters make it a breeding ground for tropical storms and hurricanes during the late summer months.
Hurricanes in Alabama over the last 25 years
Since 1996, Alabama has experienced six hurricanes in the last 25 years, according to data from the NOAA.
Here’s a breakdown of the hurricanes that made landfall in the Heart of Dixie between 1995 and 2021.
Year | Month of landfall | Name of hurricane | Category when it made landfall | Maximum winds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | July | Danny | Category 1 | 80.6 mph |
2004 | September | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph |
2005 | July | Dennis | Category 1 | 121 mph |
2005 | August | Katrina | Category 1 | 126.7 mph |
2020 | September | Sally | Category 2 | 109.4 mph |
2020 | October | Zeta | Category 1 | 115.2 mph |
Does home insurance in Alabama cover hurricane damage?
Homeowners insurance in Alabama covers damage caused by hurricanes, including the wind, hail, and rain that accompany them. However, water damage from flooding that occurs during a hurricane would not be covered under your standard home insurance policy — you’ll need separate flood insurance for that.
The one exception is if you live in an area at high risk for wind damage — your home insurance policy might exclude damage from wind and hail. In this case, you’ll need to purchase a separate wind-only insurance policy to fill that coverage gap.
The Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (Beach Plan) offers wind-and-hail-only policies for homeowners in coastal areas of Baldwin and Mobile counties. If you live in another county, you might be able to find a wind-and-hail-only policy with a private insurance company. You can reach out to a licensed agent at Policygenius to learn more about this type of coverage and your options.
Some Alabama homeowners have a separate windstorm deductible for hurricane damage
If your home is damaged in a hurricane in Alabama, your home insurance company may require you to pay a windstorm deductible that’s separate from your standard homeowners insurance deductible and applies specifically to wind and hail damage.
Windstorm deductibles in Alabama are typically a percentage of your policy’s dwelling coverage limit — usually between 1% and 5% — according to the Alabama Department of Insurance. You can choose your deductible when you purchase your home insurance or windstorm insurance policy. A higher deductible leads to lower insurance rates, and vice versa.
Consider purchasing flood insurance
Since standard home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by flooding, homeowners who live on the Gulf Coast or in a high-risk flood zone in Alabama should consider buying flood insurance to ensure your home is fully protected during hurricane season.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the main flood insurance provider in the U.S. NFIP policies are written and backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but sold through private insurers. However, NFIP coverage limits max out relatively low compared to private flood insurance policies.
Learn more >> NFIP vs. private flood insurance
How to prepare for hurricane season in Alabama
From installing storm-proof shutters on your windows to knowing your evacuation route, here are a few ways to prepare for hurricane season in Alabama.
1. Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies
In the months leading up to hurricane season, experts recommend you review your home and flood insurance policies to ensure you have enough coverage in the event a tropical storm makes landfall. This is especially important this year, since many homeowners have found they’re underinsured due to rising inflation driving rebuild costs up.
In addition to reviewing your coverage limits, you’ll also want to double-check what your windstorm or hurricane deductibles are, as well as what type of event triggers these. As a reminder, the lower your deductible — the more you’ll have to pay should you file a claim for hurricane damage.
If you want to make any changes to your policy or deductibles, you’ll want to do this before a hurricane nears — many home insurance companies issue moratoriums in the lead-up to a tropical storm. This means they’ll stop writing new policies or updating current ones 24 to 48 hours before a named storm is expected to make an impact, and end it only after the hurricane has made landfall.
2. Get your home ready for a tropical storm
This includes trimming tree limbs that hang close to your roof, removing dead trees from your yard, cleaning up any heavy debris (i.e. branches, bricks, firewood) on your property, and moving lawn furniture inside when a hurricane is expected to make landfall. If you live in an area especially prone to tropical storms, consider installing storm-proof window shutters or upgrading to an impact-resistant roof — doing this could actually result in a discount on your home insurance premiums.
3. Gather supplies for your emergency kit
FEMA recommends packing a few bags with essentials you can easily grab as you take shelter when a hurricane makes landfall. [3] Some items to pack in your emergency kit include: water, non-perishable foods and baby formula, a can opener, pet food, moist towelettes and trash bags, disinfectants, batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, portable cell phone chargers, a battery-powered radio, and a whistle to signal for help.
4. Sign up for severe weather alerts
Anyone can sign up for severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service via text, email, or phone. And staying up to date on changing weather conditions via your local news and radio stations or even through social media can help ensure you’re prepared should a hurricane make landfall in your area.
5. Know your evacuation route
If you live in a coastal area of Alabama that’s in a mandatory evacuation zone, make sure you know the best route out of town should local officials tell you to evacuate. You can find an open shelter near you by using the Red Cross’s emergency shelter locator tool.
If you’re not required to evacuate, identify a windowless, interior room in your house where you can wait out the storm. If you're trapped by flooding, FEMA recommends you go to the highest level of the building to stay safe amid rising flood water. [4]
Learn more >> 9 ways to prepare for a hurricane today
Frequently asked questions
How often do hurricanes hit Alabama?
Alabama ranks no. 6 on our list of U.S. states that have been hit with the most hurricanes from 1851 to 2021. The Heart of Dixie has been directly hit by 23 hurricanes since 1851, five of which have been Category 3 or higher.
What is hurricane season in Gulf Shores Alabama?
Hurricane season in Gulf Shores Alabama runs from June 1 through November 30 each year.
What month does Alabama get hurricanes?
Alabama residents typically experience hurricanes in July, August, September, and October — although the Atlantic hurricane season technically runs from June through November each year.
Which city in Alabama experiences the most hurricanes?
Mobile and other cities along the Gulf Coast of Alabama experience the most hurricanes.
