Lee storm history
Storm events recorded in Lee, Alabama between 1950 and 2025.
533
Total events
44
Tornadoes
126
Hail
27
Floods
34
Deaths
$20.2M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far southern Lee County and determined that it was consistent with an EF4 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 170 mph. This track is a continuation of a track that began in Macon County. The tornado crossed into Le…
The tornado crossed into Lee County, approximately six-tenths of a mile west of County Line Road. It continued to the northeast and strengthened to its maximum intensity near AL-169, with winds of 140 mph. At this location, approximately 6 manufactured homes were lifted, rolled, …
A lightning strike at the Lee County Flea Market in Smiths Station at approximately 12:45 PM CDT resulted in a fatality.
A 34 year old male died when he was struck by lightning while boating on Lake Harding.
A mix of winter precipitation resulted in ice and snow accumulations across Lee county, causing hazardous travel conditions. Freezing rain resulted in ice accumulations on area roadways and Interstate 85 early Tuesday morning, before precipitation transitioned to all snow. Ice ac…
A tornado initially touched down in Macon County Alabama and crossed into Lee County approximately 1 mile southwest of Lee Road 3. It continued its northeastward path causing extensive tree damage across western Lee County. Dozens of houses and mobile homes on the western side of…
The tornado touched down southwest of the community of Salem. It then moved just north of due east, crossing US-280 and several smaller county roads, before lifting at CR-379. Winds estimated at 125-130 mph destroyed 6 mobile homes and 4 site built homes, badly damaged 8 homes, a…
Heavy rains forced the Chattahoochee River to flood eastern sections of Lee County including some back water sections along the river. Lee County Emergency Management Agency reported that the flooded area including the Tranquil Pines area in the southwest part of the county about…
Four to six inches of rainfall in a short period of time caused extensive flooding throughout Lee County. The hardest hit areas were Auburn and Opelika. Numerous roads and highways were closed in and around Auburn and Opelika. Numerous motorists drove into the water covered roads…
Drought Drought
Parts of Lee County remained in Severe (D2) drought through the month of December. Nearly all of the county was again classified as D2 by the end of the month.
Drought Drought
Parts of Lee County remained in Severe (D2) drought through the month of November.
Drought Drought
Portions of the county were upgraded to Severe (D2) drought conditions in late October.
Heat Heat
Hot and humid conditions resulted in heat index values 110F or higher during the afternoon of July 29.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A microburst occurred in Smiths Station, with large sections of metal roofing removed and trusses blown around at mostly open air buildings at the Lee County Flea Market. Additionally, small trees and tree limbs were snapped and power lines were downed around Smiths Station, incl…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A weak EF0 tornado embedded in a line of severe thunderstorms occurred in the Salem area on the evening of May 3. The tornado began over a wooded area east of Lee Road 151, northeast of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track. The 1start point was estimated u…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were downed in Auburn, including on Lee Road 57 and Lee Road 58.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were downed in Opelika, including on Highway 80, Highway 51, and Lee Road 40.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were downed across Lee County.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were downed on Highway 280 and Lee Road 93 near Waverly.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Various roadways around Auburn and Opelika became impassable due to floodwaters.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were downed in the Salem area, including along Highway 280.
Hail Hail
Up to 1.5-inch hail was reported at Wacoochee Elementary School.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were downed along Oak Bowery Rd and Grand National Pkwy.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were downed, some on homes and vehicles, in the Barron's Park neighborhood in Auburn.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were downed along Highway 51 in Beauregard.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous trees were downed in the Auburn and Opelika areas of Lee County.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Lee County saw generally 2-3 of snow across the county, especially south of Interstate 85, where isolated pockets of 3-4 fell.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines were downed across Lee County. The roof was ripped off a structure along Lee Road 137 southwest of Auburn.
Drought Drought
Drought level increased to Severe (D2) in mid September before moisture from Hurricane Francine improved conditions.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were blown down near Auburn University.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees and some power lines were blown down near Auburn and Opelika, including along Lee Road 395, Lee Road 10, Lee Road 70, Lee Road 11, Lee Road 45, Cox Road, and Lee Road 27.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Numerous roadways in Auburn and Opelika were flooded. Cars were trapped by floodwater along West Magnolia Ave in Auburn.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A second round of heavy rainfall overnight resulted in numerous impassable roadways around Beauregard, Auburn, and Opelika.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Roads around Smiths Station became impassable after heavy rainfall.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
During the early morning of January 9, numerous trees were blown down around Lee County by strong gradient winds. Several trees blocked roadways or fell onto homes or power lines, resulting in power outages. A couple weather stations gusted up to 50 mph at times.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
The National Weather Service surveyed in southwestern Lee County and found the damage was consistent with an EF0 tornado. The tornado initially touched down along County Road 30 where several trees were uprooted and a single family residence sustained minor damage. The tornado co…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A few trees and power lines downed in the Auburn and Beauregard areas, including along Lee Road 10, Lee Road 165, and Casey Avenue.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Very hot and humid conditions developed over Central Alabama on August 12-14th. Heat indices reached 110 degrees or higher each day.
Hail Hail
Quarter size hail reported in Auburn.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were uprooted along Lee Road 188 and Lee Road 84 near Waverly, in Loachapoka, and in Auburn near Veterans Pkwy and Pepperell Pkwy. Power lines were knocked down in Auburn as well.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees uprooted in the area of Uniroyal Road and Ridge Road, causing power outages.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees uprooted on Lee Road 136.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A second round of storms resulted in more trees being knocked down in Opelika.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 17 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 2 |
| 2018 | 7 | 2 |
| 2017 | 21 | 8 |
| 2016 | 13 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 1 |
| 2013 | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 | 29 | 1 |
| 2011 | 34 | 1 |
| 2010 | 12 | 0 |
| 2009 | 35 | 7 |
| 2008 | 24 | 0 |
| 2007 | 18 | 1 |
| 2006 | 18 | 0 |
| 2005 | 21 | 1 |
| 2004 | 11 | 1 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 9 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 9 | 0 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 1 |
| 1997 | 5 | 1 |
| 1996 | 18 | 0 |
| 1995 | 10 | 0 |
| 1994 | 4 | 1 |
| 1992 | 4 | 0 |
| 1991 | 6 | 0 |
| 1990 | 8 | 0 |
| 1989 | 7 | 0 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 4 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 1 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 1 |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 |
| 1974 | 2 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 5 | 0 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | 1 | 1 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
| 1953 | 1 | 1 |