Mike Rogers

ON THIS DATE IN 2018: Six tornadoes and hail up to 5 inches in diameter affected the north half of Alabama. An EF-3 tornado moved through Jacksonville, producing major damage on the campus of Jacksonville State University. It was on the ground for 34 miles, with estimated winds peaking at 150 mph. Four people were injured; there were no fatalities. An EF-2 tornado moved from near Ashville to Southside. Grapefruit sized hail fell on Cullman. One of the largest hailstones found was by Craig Mann; a laser scan analysis revealed the hailstone measured 5.38 inches in peak width, weighed 9.8 ounces, and had a circumference of 13.75 inches. This is the largest hailstone on record for Alabama.

ON THIS DATE IN 2019: A violent. long-track EF-4 tornado struck portions of eastern Alabama and western Georgia, causing extreme damage along its path. This tornado was the deadliest tornado in the United States since the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado. The tornado first touched down at 2:00 p.m. CST near Society Hill, and stayed on the ground for 76 minutes over a 68.6 miles path, ravaging numerous homes and businesses, as well as doing significant tree damage. A total of 23 people were killed in Lee County; the victims ranged in age from 6 to 93. Of those killed, 19 were in mobile homes. Beauregard and Smiths Station were the hardest hit. Five other tornadoes touched down, including an EF-2 near Eufaula.