ATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for this region: Champaign, ILATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for this region: Champaign, IL
Hi folks! Stay ahead of the storm with a 48-hour severe weather outlook, precise hail alerts, and live hail tracking. Access hail insights, historical hail maps, and detailed reports across 300+ regions for better planning and fewer "uh-oh" moments. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay protected - all completely free. Hi folks! Stay ahead of the storm with a 48-hour severe weather outlook, precise hail alerts, and live hail tracking. Access hail insights, historical hail maps, and detailed reports across 300+ regions for better planning and fewer "uh-oh" moments. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay protected - all completely free.
Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in January 1997 from January 4, 1997 through January 29, 1997, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.
Pick any date to see hail, wind and tornado public reports for that day — e.g. September 19, 2026.
Hail Reports
289
Wind Reports
257
Tornado Reports
50
Max Hail Size
2.75″
Source NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm ReportsCoverage United States · January 1997 · 1997–presentUpdated Daily · last Jan 29, 1997
Hail Report Description: Dime sized hail, driven by a 60 mph northeast wind, combined with a gentle northeast to southwest sloping terrain, and falling in torrential rain of four inches in less than 30 minutes, allowed hail to accumulate to depths of up to four feet in shallow ravines and low-lying areas in the hill country of eastern Pasco county.Most of the accumulated hail occurred one-quarter mile west of U.S. Highway 301 and Bailey Hill Road intersection, 2.5 miles north of Zephyrhills.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 N Zephyrhills, FL
1.00″hail
Jan 28, 1997 4:11 AM EST
Hail report for January 1997
Heard County · 3,068 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Franklin, GA
0.75″hail
Jan 28, 1997 12:10 AM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Rankin County · 47,548 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Pearl, MS
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 11:55 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Copiah County · 7,960 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Hazlehurst, MS
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 11:55 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Neshoba County · 8,431 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Stallo, MS
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 10:15 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Angelina County · 24,247 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Zavalla, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 8:40 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Polk County · 17,506 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SW Livingston, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 8:38 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Leflore County · 8,841 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Greenwood, MS
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 7:45 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Galveston County · 114,636 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: League City, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 7:40 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Brazoria County · 106,699 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alvin, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 7:30 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Galveston County · 114,636 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Dickinson, TX
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 7:05 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Ouachita Parish · 46,395 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 W West Monroe, LA
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 7:00 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Morehouse Parish · 8,743 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Collinston, LA
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 6:57 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Ouachita Parish · 46,395 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Calhoun, LA
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 6:55 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Brazoria County · 106,699 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Manvel, TX
0.88″hail
Jan 27, 1997 6:30 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Marion County · 8,044 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Goss, MS
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 6:16 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Addicks, TX
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 6:06 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Angelina County · 24,247 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lufkin, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:46 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Sabine Parish · 6,914 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 NE Many, LA
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:40 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Bossier Parish · 38,236 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Benton, LA
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:37 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Houston, TX
0.50″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:32 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Columbia County · 7,636 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Taylor, AR
1.00″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:26 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Polk County · 17,506 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Corrigan, TX
0.50″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:20 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Natchitoches Parish · 10,347 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 E Natchitoches, LA
1.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:15 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Pike County · 11,288 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Magnolia, MS
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:15 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Lafayette County · 2,691 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Bradley, AR
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:08 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Pike County · 11,288 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 W Magnolia, MS
1.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 5:00 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Pike County · 11,288 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 10 W Magnolia, MS
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 4:45 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
San Augustine County · 2,822 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: San Augustine, TX
0.75″hail
Jan 27, 1997 4:30 PM CST
Hail report for January 1997
Issaquena County · 248 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Fitler, MS
Showing 15 of 30
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home+
Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.
Pea
0.25″
Low
Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.
Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch
Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.
Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch
Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.
Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch
Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.
Quarter
1.00″
Watch
The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.
Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch
More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.
Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely
Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.
Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely
Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.
Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious
Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.
Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious
Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.
Baseball
2.75″
Major
Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.
Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major
Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.
Softball
4.00″
Extreme
Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.
Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme
Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.
Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused minor roof damage to the roofs of a few brick homes, a few mobile homes, and a commercial building and shed. Several large trees and power lines were also downed within one square mile along U.S. Highway 301, two miles north of Zephyrhills.
NWS Wind Report Location: N Zephyrhills, FL
UNKmph
Jan 29, 1997 8:15 PM EST
Wind report for January 1997
Pasco County · 169,359 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused moderate damage to the roofs of two mobile homes, minor damage to three additional mobile homes and toppled then destroyed a few sheds along State Road 54, four miles west of I-75 near Wesley Chapel.
NWS Wind Report Location: 7 SW Zephyrhills, FL
UNKmph
Jan 29, 1997 6:51 PM EST
Wind report for January 1997
Hillsborough County · 352,225 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds downed three power poles and lines along Memorial Highway in the Town-in-Country area of northwest Tampa.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 NW Tampa, FL
75mph
Jan 29, 1997 4:45 AM HST
Wind report for January 1997
Kauai County · 21,050 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Kekaha, HI
92mph
Jan 28, 1997 6:45 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Escambia County · 100,747 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ensley, FL
58mph
Jan 28, 1997 5:00 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Mobile County · 135,034 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Citronelle, AL
60mph
Jan 28, 1997 3:00 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Wayne County · 6,146 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Waynesboro, MS
UNKmph
Jan 28, 1997 1:55 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Jasper County · 5,219 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Heidelberg, MS
58mph
Jan 28, 1997 1:30 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Shelby County · 69,372 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Pelham, AL
UNKmph
Jan 28, 1997 1:00 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Smith County · 4,555 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Taylorsville, MS
58mph
Jan 28, 1997 1:00 AM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Hale County · 4,136 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Greensboro, AL
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 11:15 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Lowndes County · 18,835 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Columbus, MS
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 11:15 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Noxubee County · 3,143 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Macon, MS
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 10:35 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Clay County · 6,028 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 12 W West Pt, MS
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 10:35 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Oktibbeha County · 12,332 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 8 S Starkville, MS
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 10:25 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Choctaw County · 3,298 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 8 NE Ackerman, MS
75mph
Jan 27, 1997 10:15 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Angelina County · 24,247 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zavalla, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 10:00 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Webster County · 3,687 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SW Eupora, MS
58mph
Jan 27, 1997 8:40 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Polk County · 17,506 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 SW Livingston, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 8:35 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Polk County · 17,506 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 E Camden, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 8:30 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Hardin County · 17,159 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Sour Lake, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 7:45 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Sunflower County · 6,993 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Moorhead, MS
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 7:25 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Chambers County · 14,763 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Anahuac, TX
58mph
Jan 27, 1997 5:40 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Ouachita County · 8,943 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SE Chidester, AR
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 5:30 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Liberty County · 20,511 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Liberty, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 5:30 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Trinity County · 4,668 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees blown down blocking HWY 94.
NWS Wind Report Location: Trinity, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 5:23 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Polk County · 17,506 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 S Corrigan, TX
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 5:00 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Morehouse Parish · 8,743 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 S Beekman, LA
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 4:50 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Morehouse Parish · 8,743 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Log Cabin, LA
UNKmph
Jan 27, 1997 3:55 PM CST
Wind report for January 1997
Beauregard Parish · 9,996 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Longville, LA
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home+
Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.
Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor
Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.
Severe
58–74 mph
Watch
Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.
Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious
Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.
Extreme
90+ mph
Major
Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.
Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.
NWS Tornado Reports in January 1997
30 reports
F0category
Jan 28, 1997 5:06 PM EST
Tornado report for January 1997
Palm Beach County · 326,284 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Central P.B. County, FL
F2category
Jan 28, 1997 12:08 AM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Tuscaloosa County · 62,512 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: N Coker, AL
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 9:25 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Montgomery County · 3,853 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Duck Hill, MS
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 7:15 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Baytown, TX
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 4:50 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Fort Bend County · 245,863 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Arcola, TX
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 3:53 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 NE Deer Park, TX
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 3:49 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Deer Park, TX
F0category
Jan 27, 1997 3:40 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 7 NE Crosby, TX
F1category
Jan 27, 1997 3:39 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Pasadena, TX
F0category
Jan 24, 1997 6:20 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Calhoun County · 5,167 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 NE Banner, MS
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 6:08 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Jackson County · 4,145 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado destroyed 4 homes and damaged 6 others. It also destroyed 6 mobile homes and damaged 2 others. Numerous barns and outbuildings were destroyed. Most of the damage occurred on Mayberry School Road and Dodson Branch Road. The tornado path length and width are approximations.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Mt Union, TN
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 6:50 PM EST
Tornado report for January 1997
Metcalfe County · 3,108 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W Wisdom, KY
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 5:48 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
DeKalb County · 7,572 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Smithville, TN
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 5:45 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Putnam County · 23,366 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Buffalo Vly, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 6:40 PM EST
Tornado report for January 1997
Barren County · 13,879 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Glasgow, KY
F0category
Jan 24, 1997 5:36 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Sumner County · 59,568 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 W Portland, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 5:33 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Cannon County · 5,073 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SE Pleasant Ridge, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 5:28 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Smith County · 6,353 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Brush Creek, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 5:23 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
DeKalb County · 7,572 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Alexandria, TN
F4category
Jan 24, 1997 5:00 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Rutherford County · 91,222 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This was one of those extraordinary cases where the National Weather Service had a 41 minute lead time on a tornado warning . The F4 tornado struck the Southridge Subdivision, near Barfield, TN, at 503 PM. The tornado caused 18 injuries and 4.7 million dollars in property damages. One person had to be hospitalized overnight. The last time an F4 tornado struck Middle Tennessee was on May 18, 1995. The path length of the tornado was 6.5 miles with its intensity reaching F4 and its maximum width of 300 yards.44 homes were destroyed and 47 other homes were damaged in the Barfield area. There was also damage to a Middle School, Food Lion Supermarket and to the Chalet Apartments.The tornado first touched down on Yeargan Road, about 6 miles southwest of Murfreesboro, with an intensity of F1 and path width of 100 yards. At this location, a sheet metal roof was peeled back off a barn and a couple of trees were broken off. Also close by, a trailer was lifted off its foundation and overturned. Several trees were uprooted in the area. The tornado proceeded northeast and increased to F2 intensity with a width of 300 yards. As it struck the community of Barfield, an entire roof was lifted off a house, several homes were partially destroyed, and a barn was totally destroyed. The tornado crossed the West Fork of the Stones River and struck the Southridge Subdivision. At this time the tornado increased to a maximum intensity of F4 with its width remaining at 300 yards. About half a dozen homes were totally destroyed. The tornado then struck a large apartment complex just west of U.S. Hwy 231 on the south side of Murfreesboro. The tornado produced some structural damage and extensive roof damage as it weakened to F1 intensity and its width decreased to 150 yards. The tornado then crossed U.S. Hwy 231 and the Indian Wells Golf Course. Large trees were uprooted and structural damage occurred to several businesses as it approached I-24. The tornado continued moving to the northeast across I-24 snapping and uprooting trees as it narrowed to 50 yards wide. On the southeast side of Murfreesboro near the intersection of Elam Road and U.S. Hwy 41, and near Brandyville Road and East Rutherford Boulevard, the tornado uprooted numerous trees and damaged the roofs of several homes. It was at this point the track of the tornado ended as it lifted back into the clouds. Newspaper accounts told stories of people going to a basement, or an interior room of a house such as a bathroom or closet for safety. The low casualties from this tornado indicated all the preparedness activities of the National Weather Service for many years certainly paid off.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Murfreesboro, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 5:00 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Tuscaloosa County · 62,512 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: S Tuscaloosa, AL
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 4:53 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Wilson County · 46,325 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Vine, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 4:53 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Bedford County · 15,105 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: E Wheel, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 4:50 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Lincoln County · 12,766 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NE Dellrose, TN
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 4:38 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Marshall County · 12,121 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: E Lewisburg, TN
F2category
Jan 24, 1997 4:37 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Rutherford County · 91,222 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Smyrna, TN
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 2:50 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Lawrence County · 10,166 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 10 S Moulton, AL
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 7:37 AM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Elmore County · 27,573 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: N Elmore, AL
F1category
Jan 24, 1997 6:05 AM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
Jefferson Parish · 126,441 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W Jean Lafite, LA
F2category
Jan 23, 1997 7:15 PM CST
Tornado report for January 1997
De Soto Parish · 7,069 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Rambin, LA
Showing 15 of 30
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home+
After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.
EF0
65–85 mph
Light
Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.
EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate
Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.
EF2
111–135 mph
Serious
Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.
EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe
Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.
Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.
NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in January 1997 on the Interactive Map
Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado
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Address-level hail history. 100% free. No phone or email required.
Not sure if hail may have affected your home in January 1997? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.
How many storm reports were recorded in January 1997?
Our records show 289 hail, 257 wind, and 50 tornado reports in January 1997, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on January 29, 1997.
What was the largest hail reported in January 1997?
The largest hail size in these storm-report records in January 1997 is 2.75″, reported near Biloxi, MS.
Some reports show UNK instead of a wind speed or tornado rating — what does that mean?
Wind reports come three ways: measured from an instrument, estimated from the damage observed, or UNK when no speed was recorded. Tornadoes show UNK until the National Weather Service finishes a damage survey and assigns an EF rating. UNK simply means that value was not available when the report was filed.
A report appeared near my home in January 1997 — is my roof damaged?
Not necessarily. A storm report shows that hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby, not that any specific home was hit. To find out whether your property was affected, check an address-level hail report, and if it looks significant, ask a local pro about a Remote Hail Inspection before scheduling roof work.
I am buying or selling a home — how do these in January 1997 reports help?
If a storm passed through, a roof or exterior may have damage that is hard to see, or a recent repair may trace back to it. Buyers can ask better questions before closing, and sellers can document the home condition up front — both starting from the property address rather than a whole region.
How do I check what happened at a specific address in January 1997?
Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.
Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?
Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in January 1997 across the United States, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.
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