Earthquakes
Fort Payne, Alabama Earthquake Awareness Oct. 11–17: Historic M4.9 Shaking
ORT PAYNE, Ala. — An earthquake that cracked masonry, damaged chimneys and disrupted a community water supply in northeastern Alabama remains a reminder that damaging seismic activity is not confined
By Grant Holloway · 2026-10-12T00:52:35.533Z
ORT PAYNE, Ala. — An earthquake that cracked masonry, damaged chimneys and disrupted a community water supply in northeastern Alabama remains a reminder that damaging seismic activity is not confined to the nation's western states.
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck approximately 10 miles northeast of Fort Payne on April 29, 2003, according to the Geological Survey of Alabama.
The shaking was felt across multiple southeastern states, causing damage to vulnerable masonry buildings and prompting precautionary school closures.
The earthquake also triggered minor landslides and affected groundwater near Valley Head, where muddy water forced pumps to shut down.
More than two decades later, that event offers a local example of the hazards emergency officials want residents to recognize during the Oct. 11–17 earthquake awareness period.
Alabama faces seismic hazards from more than one regional fault system.
The Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone influences portions of northern and central Alabama, while major earthquakes from the New Madrid region can produce shaking across a much larger portion of the central United States.
Alabama's recorded earthquake history also includes a magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Irondale in 1916, one of the state's strongest known seismic events.
Although earthquakes of that size are uncommon in Alabama, the historical record demonstrates that damaging shaking remains possible.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, Alabama residents can participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, beginning at 10:15 a.m. local time.
The exercise encourages households, schools and businesses to practice dropping to their hands and knees, taking cover beneath sturdy furniture and holding on until shaking stops.
Emergency preparedness also includes securing tall furniture, identifying safe shelter locations and maintaining supplies for possible utility disruptions.
For communities across northeastern Alabama, including Fort Payne, Scottsboro, Rainsville and surrounding DeKalb County, the region's earthquake history offers a reason to take the annual exercise seriously.
The next damaging earthquake cannot be predicted, but residents can take meaningful steps to reduce their exposure to injuries when shaking begins.