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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 56479

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 56479 from May 21, 1957 through August 20, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 56479 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
32
Wind Reports
23
Tornado Reports
10
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 56479 · 1957–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 20, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 56479

32 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Aug 20, 2026
4:15 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 Nw Staples Airport, MN
1.75″ hail
Aug 3, 2024
11:25 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Reported golf ball sized hail ongoing.
NWS Hail Report Location: Staples, MN
1.75″ hail
Aug 3, 2024
11:20 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Delayed Report. Location Estimated.
NWS Hail Report Location: Staples, MN
1.00″ hail
Jul 12, 2022
9:45 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT RELAYED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 W Motley, MN
3.00″ hail
Jul 27, 2021
4:00 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: CORRECTS: ERRONEOUS REPORT PLEASE DISREGARD.
NWS Hail Report Location: Poplar, MN
1.00″ hail
Apr 7, 2020
9:20 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 NNE Staples Airport, MN
1.00″ hail
May 29, 2018
8:30 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: LARGE HAIL AND VERY HEAVY RAINS IN NORTHERN THOMASTOWN TOWNSHIP.
NWS Hail Report Location: 7 NE Aldrich, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 19, 2016
11:25 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: A FEW MINUTES OF DIME TO QUATER SIZED HAIL.
NWS Hail Report Location: 9 N Staples Airport, MN
2.75″ hail
Jun 19, 2016
11:15 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 11 NNE Aldrich, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 11, 2014
5:22 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.13 SSW Oylen, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 10, 2012
3:05 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Several large tree branches were blown down as well.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3.65 NE Central, MN
2.75″ hail
Jul 17, 2010
4:20 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.18 NW Staples, MN
1.50″ hail
Jul 17, 2010
4:17 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.35 NE Aldrich, MN
1.50″ hail
Jul 17, 2010
4:10 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.8 S Central, MN
0.88″ hail
Aug 13, 2007
5:58 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: The hail covered the ground.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Leader, MN
Showing 15 of 32
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.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near ZIP 56479

23 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Aug 4, 2024
12:00 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Public reported tree debris and 3-4 inch diameter branches broken off near southern Staples train station via facebook.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SE Staples, MN
70 mph
May 30, 2022
10:21 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: QUARTER SIZED HAIL AND WIND GUSTS AT 60 TO 70 MPH.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 W Staples Airport, MN
UNK mph
Jul 20, 2020
3:08 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES BEGINNING TO BE REPORTED GOING DOWN AND TAKING OUT POWER LINES.
NWS Wind Report Location: Staples, MN
90 mph
Jul 12, 2015
5:52 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Widespread tree damage occurred along county road 2 through the area just north of the Staples airport. Numerous power poles were snapped and large tree branches and limbs were blown down across southern Thomastown Township.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2.48 ENE Aldrich, MN
85 mph
Jul 12, 2015
5:50 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Downburst damage was noted north of the tornado track. Initially, wooden poles were leaning and several oak and pine trees were snapped, and this is where the strongest winds were noted. As the downburst entered Staples, dozens of large trees were uprooted and many large branches were broken from Airport Rd to the east side of town. Winds across Staples were estimated in the 60-70 mph range.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2.7 WNW Staples, MN
70 mph
Sep 4, 2014
5:31 AM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees and power lines were blown down in the City of Staples. In addition, the Staples airport, approximately 1 mile north of downtown Staples, in Wadena County, had a measured wind gust of 79 mph at 531 CST.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.18 NW Staples, MN
79 mph
Sep 4, 2014
5:28 AM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The wind gust was measured at the Staples airport.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3.58 NNW Staples, MN
64 mph
Jul 21, 2014
10:25 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Roof damage occurred in the town of Staples along with power outages.
NWS Wind Report Location: .95 W Staples, MN
64 mph
Jul 17, 2010
4:20 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Dozens of trees were toppled in and around Staples, with some trees landing on vehicles, sheds and houses. The roof of a hardware store was partially removed.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.39 SW Staples Muni, MN
60 mph
Jul 17, 2010
4:08 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree branches up to 4 inches in diameter were snapped.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2.35 NE Aldrich, MN
60 mph
Jun 29, 2005
6:20 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Beltrami County · 14,934 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree branches were blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SE Bemidji, MN
60 mph
Jun 29, 2005
5:18 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Otter Tail County · 29,682 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A MNDOT RWIS sensor along U.S. Highway 10 measured the wind gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SE Bluffton, MN
70 mph
Jun 29, 2005
5:00 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Otter Tail County · 29,682 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 NW New York Mills, MN
63 mph
Jun 20, 2005
10:51 AM CST
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A pontoon was swamped on Gull Lake. All passengers aboard were rescued.
NWS Wind Report Location: Leader, MN
69 mph
Jul 13, 2004
12:20 AM CST
Wind report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Significant tree damage occurred around the Staples airport.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 E Aldrich, MN
Showing 15 of 23
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.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 56479

10 reports
UNK category
May 30, 2022
10:45 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: APPROXIMATE END OF EF 1 TORNADO. PATH LENGTH 4.3 MILES. PATH WIDTH ESTIMATED 500 YARDS. MAX WINDS ESTIMATED 105 MPH.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NNE Poplar, MN
UNK category
May 30, 2022
10:37 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: BEGINNING OF EF-1 TORNADO WITH MAX WINDS OF 105 MPH.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 SSW Poplar, MN
UNK category
May 30, 2022
10:27 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: THE TORNADO WAS WRAPPED IN DOWNBURST WIND AND RAIN AS IT RAPIDLY TRACKED TO THE NE FOR ABOUT 2.5 MILE TO AROUND 2 NNE OF STAPLES AIRPORT BY 530 PM CDT. IT APPEARED TO HAVE DEVELOPED ROUGHLY A HALF MILE EAST OF AN EARLIER TORNADO... BASED ON DIVERGENT TREE DAMAGE PATHS AND SUPPORTED BY RADAR DEPICTIONS. THE TORNADO SNAPPED OR UPROOTED SEVERAL POPLAR... ASH... AND SPRUCE TREES ALONG ITS PATH. MAX WINDS TO 90 MPH. MAX WIDTH TO 150 YDS.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Staples Airport, MN
UNK category
May 30, 2022
10:21 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: THE TORNADO WAS WRAPPED IN DOWNBURST WINDS AND RAIN AS IT RAPIDLY TRACKED NNE FROM TODD COUNTY FOR ROUGHLY 9.4 MILES... THEN CROSSED INTO CASS COUNTY ABOUT 5.8 MILES SSE OF OYLEN BY 530 PM CDT. NUMEROUS WOODEN SINGLE AND DOUBLE /X BRACED/ POWER POLES SNAPPED. CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TUMBLED. OAK... PINE... AND ASH SNAPPED. THE OLD WADENA AND BULLARD BLUFF CAMPGROUNDS HAD SWATHS OF PINE TREES BLOWN DOWN. A CABIN HAD THE ROOF AND SIDEWALLS BLOWN OUT. MAX WINDS TO 130 MPH. MAX WIDTH TO 450 YDS.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 WSW Staples Airport, MN
UNK category
May 30, 2022
10:21 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: THIS TORNADO CROSSED FROM TODD COUNTY AND PROCEEDED IN A NORTH-NORTHEAST DIRECTION UNTIL IT CROSSED INTO CASS COUNTY. NUMEROUS WOODEN POWER POLES WERE SNAPPED ALONG THE TORNADO PATH... INCLUDING SINGLE POLES AND A COUPLE OF HIGH VOLTAGE... DOUBLE POLE... STRUCTURES. AT LEAST 3 CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEM WERE TUMBLED AND SEVERAL FARMSTEADS HAD ROOFING MATERIALS TORN OFF OF OUT BUILDINGS. EXTENSIVE PINE TREE DAMAGE WAS NOTED AT THE OLD WADENA CAMPGROUND... WHERE SWATHS OF TREES FROM 300 TO 400 YARDS WIDE WERE COMPLETED LAID DOWN IN A CURVILINEAR FASHION BY THE STORM... BOTH THERE AND AT THE DOWNSTREAM BULLARD BLUFF CAMPGROUND. ONE PARK SHELTER AT THE OLD WADENA CAMPSITE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. IN AN OPEN AREA... ROUGHLY A MILE DOWNSTREAM OF THE BULLARD BLUFF CAMPSITE... ONE CABIN WAS RIPPED OPENED... WITH THE ROOF COMPLETELY GONE AND THE EXTERIOR WALLS CAVED IN. DAMAGE CONTINUED ACROSS THE CROW WING RIVER AND ACROSS CR30 /THE CASS COUNTY LINE ROAD/ INTO CASS COUNTY.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 W Staples Airport, MN
UNK category
Jun 19, 2016
11:29 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Wadena County · 5,209 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: BRIEF TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED IN AN OPEN FIELD NEAR THE CASS COUNTY LINE AND APPEARED TO MOVE INTO CASS COUNTY BEFORE LIFTING.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 8 N Staples Airport, MN
F2 category
Jul 8, 2000
8:43 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Roofs blown off homes and one business. At least one dozen homes damaged. Numerous large trees down. One minor injury in Staples due to flying glass. Tornado crossed over from Wadena county.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Staples, MN
F1 category
Jul 5, 1991
6:35 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F2 category
Aug 26, 1977
7:15 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Cass County · 20,705 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F1 category
May 21, 1957
12:00 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 56479
Todd County · 10,714 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
Showing 10 of 10
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 and near ZIP 56479 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 56479 area census snapshot

People & households
Population5,018
Households2,001
Housing units2,341
Income
Median household income$58,009
$100k+ households35.0%
$150k+ households11.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached1,781
Attached single-family37
Small multifamily142
Large multifamily184
Mobile homes197
Housing mix
Single-family share76.1%
Attached-home share1.6%
Multifamily share13.9%
Mobile-home share8.4%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied1,572
Renter-occupied429
Vacant units340
Home value & age
Median home value$177,500
Owner homes $300k+15.9%
Owner homes $500k+3.8%
Owner homes $750k+0.4%
Median year built1975
Older-home share58.7%
Vehicle context
Households with cars1,882
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does ZIP 56479 have on record?

Our records show 32 hail, 23 wind, and 10 tornado reports in and near ZIP 56479, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 20, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 56479?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 56479 is 3.00″. It was reported near Poplar, MN on July 27, 2021.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 56479 — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves ZIP 56479 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 56479 — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a ZIP 56479 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 56479 — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific ZIP 56479 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 56479 — 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 and around ZIP 56479, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 56479, 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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