Heads up! Small hail spotted in these regions: Ogden, UT • Salt Lake City, UT      
HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in 1997

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in 1997 from January 4, 1997 through December 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 18, 2026.
Hail Reports
8,607
Wind Reports
9,857
Tornado Reports
1,180
Max Hail Size
5.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · 1997 · 1997–present Updated  Daily · last Dec 29, 1997

NWS Hail Reports in 1997

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
0.75″ hail
Dec 26, 1997
5:30 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Mobile County · 135,034 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Dime size hail fell around the Tillmans Corner area.
NWS Hail Report Location: Tillmans Corner, AL
1.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
4:20 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Grimes County · 8,458 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Navasota, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
4:15 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Goliad County · 2,779 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: NWS Spotter of dime sized hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 E Goliad, TX
1.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
3:30 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Goliad County · 2,779 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: NWS Spotter report of golfball sized hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: Goliad, TX
1.00″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
3:20 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
DeWitt County · 7,109 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Cuero, TX
0.88″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
3:15 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
DeWitt County · 7,109 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Cuero, TX
0.88″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
3:00 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Lavaca County · 8,228 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Ezzell, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
2:39 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Bexar County · 521,494 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 N Leon Spgs, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
1:55 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Kerr County · 16,807 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Center Pt, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
1:48 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Dallas County · 548,642 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Dallas, TX
1.00″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
1:40 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Bandera County · 7,739 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Bandera, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
1:38 PM CST
Hail report for 1997
Bandera County · 7,739 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Tarpley, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
11:42 AM CST
Hail report for 1997
Leon County · 5,229 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SE Jewett, TX
0.75″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
11:30 AM CST
Hail report for 1997
Robertson County · 5,944 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Bremond, TX
0.88″ hail
Dec 23, 1997
11:25 AM CST
Hail report for 1997
Robertson County · 5,944 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Hammond, TX
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 1997

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Dec 29, 1997
8:25 AM EST
Wind report for 1997
DeSoto County · 7,452 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds downed several large branches and a few power lines along State Road 70 in Arcadia.
NWS Wind Report Location: Arcadia, FL
70 mph
Dec 27, 1997
4:47 PM EST
Wind report for 1997
Miami-Dade County · 427,519 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Homestead Afb, FL
UNK mph
Dec 27, 1997
2:00 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Lee County · 5,591 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 E Giddings, TX
UNK mph
Dec 27, 1997
7:10 AM EST
Wind report for 1997
Polk County · 203,501 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused minor shingle and roof damage to a few homes in Lakeland. A few large trees and several power lines were downed near U.S. Highway 92 and State Road 37 in Lakeland.
NWS Wind Report Location: Lakeland, FL
UNK mph
Dec 27, 1997
7:05 AM EST
Wind report for 1997
Manatee County · 115,585 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds caused minor siding and lanai damage to a few mobile homes in Bradenton.
NWS Wind Report Location: Bradenton, FL
UNK mph
Dec 27, 1997
7:00 AM EST
Wind report for 1997
Hillsborough County · 352,225 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees and several large branches along U.S. Highway 92 in Plant City.
NWS Wind Report Location: Plant City, FL
58 mph
Dec 24, 1997
4:45 AM CST
Wind report for 1997
Mobile County · 135,034 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several large limbs were blown down near the intersection of Howells Ferry and Snow roads just south of Semmes.
NWS Wind Report Location: Semmes, AL
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
11:30 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
St. Mary Parish · 15,421 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Baldwin, LA
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
11:05 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
St. Martin Parish · 16,391 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Parks, LA
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
7:20 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Newton County · 2,981 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Call, TX
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
6:50 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Hardin County · 17,159 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Silsbee, TX
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
6:45 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Tyler County · 6,910 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Fred, TX
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
6:40 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Jasper County · 7,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 10 NW Jasper, TX
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
6:15 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Hardin County · 17,159 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Batson, TX
UNK mph
Dec 23, 1997
6:10 PM CST
Wind report for 1997
Liberty County · 20,511 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large trees blown onto powerlines.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cleveland, TX
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 1997

30 reports
F1 category
Dec 27, 1997
4:45 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Osceola County · 98,513 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak F1 tornado moving northeast over Lake Tohopekaliga touched down in the Kissimmee Park community southwest of St. Cloud. The tornado destroyed 4 mobile homes and damaged 10 other structures.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 SW St Cloud, FL
F2 category
Dec 27, 1997
4:08 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Polk County · 203,501 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A strong F2 tornado touched down in the Lake Region mobile home park along U.S. Highway 27 and County Road 544 in Polk county. Several mobile homes sustained major to severe damage. Residents of Haines City who heard the tornado described that the sound resembled a high-pitched whine.The F2 tornado moved northeast and travelled across U.S. Highway 27 and caused significant wall and roof damage to several well built wood, mixed brick and mobile homes over mainly south and east Haines City from County Road 544 northeast to County Road 580. The Boone Middle School over eastern Haines City had heavy damage to a main building while eleven portable classrooms were destroyed or heavily damaged.Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped half way up from the base. Several orange trees were sheared near the base along County Road 544. Several power poles were snapped and power lines downed along the path of the F2 tornado.Total damage was estimated at six million dollars. Seventy-five homes were destroyed, another 75-100 suffered major damage while another 75-100 received minor damage. Most of the homes destroyed were mobile or pre-fabricated homes. Also, at least ten vehicles were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.Nearly 2,000 electrical customers were without power from power poles and lines blown down by the tornadic wind.Most injuries that occurred during the tornado touchdown resulted from wind blown debris.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW Haines City, FL
F0 category
Dec 27, 1997
3:56 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Polk County · 203,501 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado touched down in the Oakwood Estates mobile home park along Spirit Lake Road south of County Road 540. Approximately twelve mobile homes sustained minor to moderate roof, lanai and siding damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NE Bartow, FL
F1 category
Dec 24, 1997
8:26 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Dale County · 14,979 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado touchdown in Currytown community trailer park along Dale County Road 49, Dean Road, and Alabama 134 between Pinckard and Midland City. Three mobile homes were destroyed and four were heavily damaged. 16-18 residences sustained structural damage. Six barns were leveled and four were damaged. Numerous large trees and power poles down.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Newton, AL
F2 category
Dec 24, 1997
8:17 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Houston County · 35,016 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado skipped through a mobile home park along County Road 9 and Market Street. Two mobile homes destroyed with more than a dozen damaged. Large power poles and trees toppled. Winds overturned small airplane off County Road 81 near Harmon School. A large tree blown onto a house on County Road 75. Residence destroyed on Alabama Highway 84 West in Wicksburg.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Wicksburg, AL
F1 category
Dec 24, 1997
7:39 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Geneva County · 8,804 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado touchdown one mile east of Geneva at the intersection of County Roads 4 and 6 damaging 6 to 10 residences. 10 to 15 homes and trailers damaged on J.P. Jones Road near Oak Grove. Numerous trees and power lines down. Considerable damage to Christmas decorations at Fowler Park in Geneva.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Eunola, AL
F0 category
Dec 22, 1997
11:15 PM PST
Tornado report for 1997
Grays Harbor County · 26,978 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 S Westport, WA
F1 category
Dec 21, 1997
1:40 PM PST
Tornado report for 1997
Orange County · 563,953 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Thunderstorms in advance of a strong low pressure trough, spawned a tornado that briefly touched down off of Huntington Beach, and moved onshore, crossing Highway 1, into Huntington Harbor. The twister ripped at least 6 boats from their moorings, damaged trees, ripped a 40-foot metal light pole out of the ground, tossed a 150 pound iron bench into a spa, and ripped a 25 foot section of roof from a home. Damage to the roof alone was estimated at $15,000.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Huntington Beach, CA
F0 category
Dec 10, 1997
7:28 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Baker County · 6,045 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Large trees and power lines were blown down.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 10 NNW Sanderson, FL
F0 category
Dec 10, 1997
7:20 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Columbia County · 15,669 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Large trees and power lines were blown down.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NE Lake City, FL
F0 category
Dec 10, 1997
6:00 AM EST
Tornado report for 1997
Duval County · 266,197 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Barn roof destroyed. Large trees and power lines were blown down.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NW Jacksonville, FL
F0 category
Dec 8, 1997
2:35 PM PST
Tornado report for 1997
Santa Clara County · 352,835 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: weak tornado damaged some trailers in a trailer park. Minor damage to a few trailers.
NWS Tornado Report Location: San Jose, CA
F0 category
Dec 2, 1997
3:25 PM MST
Tornado report for 1997
Chaves County · 19,124 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A thunderstorm which developed along a cold front moving into south central Chaves County produced a small, brief tornado. The tornado formed in an environment of northeast surface winds and moderate southwest winds aloft. This is only the second recorded tornado for December in New Mexico. Previously a tornado was reported December 26, 1966 near Pojoaque in Santa Fe County.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 W Hagerman, NM
F0 category
Nov 28, 1997
5:15 PM CST
Tornado report for 1997
Red River Parish · 2,062 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Damage path consisted of snapped tree limbs, trees pushed over, and trees topped. No structures were in the damage path.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NW Coushatta, LA
F1 category
Nov 28, 1997
4:03 PM CST
Tornado report for 1997
San Augustine County · 2,822 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The thunderstorm that produced the tornado formed along a squall line moving across the region. Damage consisted primarily of numerous snapped and fallen trees or trees that were topped. One older frame home was de-roofed.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SW San Augustine, 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 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 Month in 1997

December 1997 101
Hail, wind & tornado reports
November 1997 306
Hail, wind & tornado reports
October 1997 686
Hail, wind & tornado reports
September 1997 711
Hail, wind & tornado reports
August 1997 2,282
Hail, wind & tornado reports
July 1997 3,993
Hail, wind & tornado reports
June 1997 4,202
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 1997 3,219
Hail, wind & tornado reports
April 1997 1,993
Hail, wind & tornado reports
March 1997 1,121
Hail, wind & tornado reports
February 1997 434
Hail, wind & tornado reports
January 1997 596
Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in 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 1997?

Our records show 8,607 hail, 9,857 wind, and 1,180 tornado reports in 1997, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on December 29, 1997.

What was the largest hail reported in 1997?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in 1997 is 5.50″, reported near Eufaula, OK.

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 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 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 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 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.