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.      
HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in May 1997

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in May 1997 from May 1, 1997 through May 31, 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
1,778
Wind Reports
1,210
Tornado Reports
231
Max Hail Size
4.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · May 1997 · 1997–present Updated  Daily · last May 31, 1997

NWS Hail Reports in May 1997

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
6:30 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Bannock County · 23,759 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail occured in Inkom Gap immediately southwest of Pocatello.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SW Pocatello, ID
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
5:05 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Cassia County · 7,111 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter-size hail covered the ground and stripped leaves from trees.
NWS Hail Report Location: Sublett, ID
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
5:05 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Cassia County · 7,111 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail the size of quarters dented metal siding of sheds and trailer homes, severly damaged outside house plants, chopped down alfalfa, severely damaged outside house plants, and accumulated to about one inch on ground. Weather spotter remarked that hail remained on the ground until the next morning. Sublett Road from Sublett to Sublett Reservoir was flooded with 6 to 12 inches of water.
NWS Hail Report Location: Sublett, ID
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:50 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Prowers County · 3,801 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Granada, CO
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:45 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Prowers County · 3,801 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 W Bristol, CO
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:45 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Mora County · 2,020 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Ocate, NM
0.88″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:32 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Taos County · 14,796 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Tres Piedras, NM
0.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:30 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Bannock County · 23,759 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail observed along Marsh Creek Road.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 S Inkom, ID
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
6:30 PM EST
Hail report for May 1997
St. Lucie County · 109,588 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: One inch diameter hail fell in Ft. Pierce.
NWS Hail Report Location: Ft Pierce, FL
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:20 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Bannock County · 23,759 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter-size hail covered the ground.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 S Inkom, ID
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:15 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Doña Ana County · 54,974 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Organ, NM
1.50″ hail
May 31, 1997
4:12 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Jefferson County · 8,914 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail associated with Terreton tornadic storm
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Terreton, ID
1.00″ hail
May 31, 1997
6:01 PM EST
Hail report for May 1997
St. Lucie County · 109,588 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: One inch diameter hail fell in Ft. Pierce
NWS Hail Report Location: Ft Pierce, FL
1.50″ hail
May 31, 1997
3:45 PM MST
Hail report for May 1997
Butte County · 909 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 7 E Howe, ID
1.75″ hail
May 31, 1997
5:44 PM EST
Hail report for May 1997
Lexington County · 91,782 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Irmo, SC
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.

NWS Wind Reports in May 1997

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
60 mph
May 31, 1997
7:15 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Pondera County · 2,050 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Valier, MT
59 mph
May 31, 1997
7:10 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Toole County · 1,701 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Shelby, MT
62 mph
May 31, 1997
7:00 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Glacier County · 3,655 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cutbank, MT
66 mph
May 31, 1997
6:56 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Park County · 11,266 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cody, WY
60 mph
May 31, 1997
6:45 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Granite County · 2,243 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hall, MT
60 mph
May 31, 1997
6:00 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Flathead County · 37,000 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Kalispell Intl Arpt, MT
73 mph
May 31, 1997
5:30 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Missoula County · 32,643 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Huson, MT
81 mph
May 31, 1997
4:00 PM PST
Wind report for May 1997
Grant County · 23,177 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: APPLE ORCHARD DAMAGE
NWS Wind Report Location: Moses Lake, WA
58 mph
May 31, 1997
6:48 PM EST
Wind report for May 1997
Lexington County · 91,782 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: South Congaree, SC
69 mph
May 31, 1997
4:13 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Fergus County · 4,512 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Roy, MT
66 mph
May 31, 1997
4:00 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Sanders County · 5,446 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm wind gusts up to 65 mph measured at Noxon school weather station. Numerous trees and power lines knocked down with power outages.
NWS Wind Report Location: Noxon, MT
60 mph
May 31, 1997
4:00 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Mineral County · 1,946 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Superior, MT
58 mph
May 31, 1997
5:50 PM EST
Wind report for May 1997
Richland County · 118,648 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ballentine, SC
58 mph
May 31, 1997
5:45 PM EST
Wind report for May 1997
Lexington County · 91,782 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Irmo, SC
60 mph
May 31, 1997
3:40 PM MST
Wind report for May 1997
Lincoln County · 8,409 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Troy, MT
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 May 1997

30 reports
F0 category
May 31, 1997
4:45 PM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Clark County · 134,732 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak tornado briefly touched down in the Walnut Grove area of Vancouver, near I-205 and 4th Plain. A car was damaged, the roofing of a house was damaged, and a small shed was blown over.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Vancouver, WA
F1 category
May 31, 1997
4:05 PM MST
Tornado report for May 1997
Jefferson County · 8,914 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A F1 Tornado touch down about one mile west of Mud Lake demolishing a shed, damaging a quanset hut, lifting a roof off another shed, and rolling over an irrigation circle line. The tornado moved east toward Mud Lake knocking down trees, large branches and two power poles. In Mud Lake metal siding was stripped off a few buildings and a large portion of a restaurant roof was blown off. An approximate 100 x 50 foot roof was lifted off a building at the Feed Company Shed on the NW corner of town and deposited on two trucks. The tornado continued to move northeast causing damage to sheds, roofs, trees and other structures 1 to 2 miles north of Terreton. Two miles north of Terreton a large roof was lifted off a shed and thrown over 150 feet landing on top of a home. The large funnel associated with the tornado was visible from the NWS in Pocatello at 5:05 pm MDT...a distance of about 65 miles.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W Terreton, ID
F0 category
May 31, 1997
3:55 PM MST
Tornado report for May 1997
Bannock County · 23,759 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado briefly touched down on hillside east of Pocatello Drive-Inn Theatre
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SE Pocatello, ID
F1 category
May 31, 1997
2:15 PM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Pierce County · 240,024 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak tornado touched down in a south Tacoma neighborhood just east of I-5. A church suffered roof and beam damage and several trees were pushed over or snapped off. There were also some downed fences.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Tacoma, WA
F0 category
May 31, 1997
4:30 PM EST
Tornado report for May 1997
Broward County · 347,737 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 W Fll, FL
F0 category
May 31, 1997
1:10 PM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Nez Perce County · 13,018 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: eyewitness interviewed, concluded f0 tornado
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 E Lewiston, ID
F2 category
May 31, 1997
1:05 PM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Kootenai County · 57,440 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: nws survey team concluded f2 tornado touched down and caused damage to old growth trees
NWS Tornado Report Location: SE Athol, ID
F1 category
May 31, 1997
12:45 PM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Spokane County · 149,492 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: nws survey team concluded f1 tornado touched down and pulled up numerous times as it traveled from Pruffer and Wallbridge in se stevens county to near riverside in spokane county
NWS Tornado Report Location: SSW Deer Park, WA
F1 category
May 31, 1997
11:40 AM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Lincoln County · 4,521 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: top of barn blown off and several outbuildings destroyed in wilbur. tree and irrigation system damage and major damage to large horse barn in creston
NWS Tornado Report Location: S Wilbur, WA
F0 category
May 31, 1997
10:10 AM PST
Tornado report for May 1997
Marion County · 82,012 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado touched down near Chemawa Road and Highway 99 near Keizer at 1010 AM. Several people reported seeing the tornado on the ground for about 2 minutes. Three 30-40 foot tall trees were uprooted and a barn was damaged.
NWS Tornado Report Location: E Keizer, OR
F0 category
May 31, 1997
1:40 AM CST
Tornado report for May 1997
Kimble County · 2,222 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Junction, TX
F1 category
May 30, 1997
10:22 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1997
Harris County · 1,069,971 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Trees blown down on Dobbin Huffsmith Rd.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 SSE Tomball, TX
F1 category
May 30, 1997
4:54 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1997
Coryell County · 19,458 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado developed near Oglesby, moved south for 5 miles and dissipated near Mother Neff State Park. Along the tornado's path a home received major damage, siding was removed from a church, several barns and outbuildings were destroyed, numerous large trees were uprooted and a car with 5 occupants was lifted from the road and thrown onto a fence. Two of the occupants received minor injuries.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Oglesby, TX
F0 category
May 30, 1997
2:50 AM CST
Tornado report for May 1997
Hale County · 10,140 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 N Petersburg, TX
F0 category
May 29, 1997
9:12 PM CST
Tornado report for May 1997
Randall County · 42,834 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado remained over open country and the track was estimated.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 8 S Canyon, TX
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 May 1997 on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

Get a free hail report for your address

Address-level hail history. 100% free. No phone or email required.

Look up your address →

Browse NWS Storm Reports by Day in May 1997

May 31, 1997 100
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 30, 1997 105
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 29, 1997 81
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 28, 1997 122
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 27, 1997 276
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 26, 1997 252
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 25, 1997 175
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 24, 1997 86
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 23, 1997 23
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 22, 1997 25
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 21, 1997 17
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 20, 1997 10
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 19, 1997 125
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 18, 1997 295
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 17, 1997 82
Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in May 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.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many storm reports were recorded in May 1997?

Our records show 1,778 hail, 1,210 wind, and 231 tornado reports in May 1997, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 31, 1997.

What was the largest hail reported in May 1997?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in May 1997 is 4.50″, reported near Troy, TX.

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 May 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 May 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 May 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 May 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.

Free Hail Report By Address

Check Your Address in Seconds

Free hail report for any address in the contiguous U.S.

Get a Free Hail Report

100% free. No phone or email required.