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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 68970

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 68970 from May 20, 1957 through May 17, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 68970 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
63
Wind Reports
44
Tornado Reports
14
Max Hail Size
4.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 68970 · 1957–present Updated  Daily · last May 17, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 68970

63 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.75″ hail
Sep 21, 2023
11:06 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.75″ hail
Sep 21, 2023
11:05 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Law enforcement reports hail increasing in size... up to golf ball size.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.00″ hail
Sep 21, 2023
11:00 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Law Enforcement reports quarter size hail occurring in Red Cloud.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
2.75″ hail
Sep 21, 2023
10:46 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Various reports with largest report from Law enforcement and FB with baseball sized hail. Large hail lasted about 25min. Lots of car damage. Trees leaves also took a beating from hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.25″ hail
Sep 21, 2023
8:39 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Mostly Quarters with some half dollars mixed in.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Inavale, NE
1.25″ hail
May 8, 2021
11:30 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: FB REPORT OF QUARTER TO HALF DOLLAR HAIL.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 WSW Cowles, NE
1.00″ hail
Jul 5, 2019
10:36 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: LOTS OF PEA TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.00″ hail
Jun 26, 2019
12:06 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NNE Red Cloud, NE
1.00″ hail
May 24, 2019
12:06 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.75″ hail
Mar 28, 2019
2:17 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: DELAYED REPORT OF HAIL VIA FACEBOOK PHOTO. SIZE ESTIMATED FROM PHOTO.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 S Red Cloud, NE
1.00″ hail
Mar 28, 2019
2:17 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS NICKLE AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SSW Red Cloud, NE
2.50″ hail
Sep 20, 2018
10:58 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL ONGOING. MOSTLY GOLF BALLS... BUT SOME JUST UNDER THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
1.75″ hail
Sep 20, 2018
10:50 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: ESTIMATED WINDS AROUND 40MPH.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NNE Red Cloud, NE
1.00″ hail
Jun 29, 2017
6:18 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT OF QUARTER SIZE OR SLIGHTLY LARGER HAIL RELAYED THOUGH WEBSTER COUNTY DISPATCH. NO TIME WAS GIVEN IN THE REPORT... SO IT WAS ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
2.00″ hail
Jun 29, 2017
5:42 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: DELAYED SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT FROM EAST OF TOWN. TIME IS RADAR ESTIMATED.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Red Cloud, NE
Showing 15 of 63
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 68970

44 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
64 mph
May 17, 2026
3:17 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal Weather Station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 W Cowles, NE
61 mph
May 17, 2026
3:11 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 WNW Cowles, NE
59 mph
Jul 20, 2024
1:11 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 NNE Inavale, NE
59 mph
Jul 20, 2024
1:11 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 W Red Cloud, NE
UNK mph
May 2, 2024
5:33 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Facebook report of trees down in a yard. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
UNK mph
May 12, 2022
9:17 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: POWER LINES DOWN IN RED CLOUD.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
71 mph
Dec 15, 2021
7:36 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 NNE Inavale, NE
70 mph
Jul 5, 2019
10:37 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: ESTIMATED 60-70 MPH WINDS. SEVERAL TREES DOWN AROUND TOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
60 mph
Jul 5, 2019
10:36 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: ESTIMATED 55-60MPH WIND GUSTS. DECK WAS COVERED WITH SMALL HAIL. EXTREMELY HEAVY RAIN.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
UNK mph
Jul 5, 2019
10:25 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: WEST OF RED CLOUD... HAY BALES WERE PUSHED ONTO A NEARBY COUNTY ROAD. THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. IN RED CLOUD... SEVERAL LARGER TREES WERE UPROOTED. A TIN ROOF OF A BUILDING WAS DAMAGED. A FEW POWER POLES ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN WERE DAMAGED OR LEANED OVER ENOUGH TO RESULT IN POWER OUTAGES.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Inavale, NE
UNK mph
Sep 20, 2018
10:53 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO OF A LARGE PORTION OF A TREE DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR DATA.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
60 mph
Jun 9, 2018
8:12 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS JUST NORTH OF TOWN AND POWER OUT IN TOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Red Cloud, NE
58 mph
Jul 18, 2017
1:37 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SW Cowles, NE
62 mph
Jul 7, 2016
5:24 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 NW Red Cloud, NE
75 mph
May 9, 2016
1:48 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: SVRL UPROOTED TREES/GENERAL TREE DMG AT THE GOLF COURSE. TIME EST FM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
Showing 15 of 44
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 68970

14 reports
UNK category
Apr 16, 2024
7:28 AM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A brief EF-0 rated tornado occurred northwest of Cowles along Highway 281. Damage was very minimal. Peak wind estimated at 65 mph.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 WNW Cowles, NE
UNK category
Nov 27, 2016
10:36 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: SPLATTER ON HOME JUST NE OF TOWN OF AMBOY BUT HOME NOT DAMAGED. OUTBUILDING FLIPPED ON PROPERTY. TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN IN SPOTS. IRRIGATION PIVOTS OVERTURNED. TIME BASED ON RADAR.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 SSE Cowles, NE
UNK category
Nov 27, 2016
10:32 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: CONE-SHAPED TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN AND HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY TOUCHING DOWN SINCE 432 PM. SOME DMG REPORTED.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 E Red Cloud, NE
F0 category
Apr 11, 2001
12:12 AM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Brief tornado that damaged some irrigation pipe, outbuilding and trees.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 SW Red Cloud Arpt, NE
F0 category
May 22, 1996
10:15 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 N Inavale, NE
F1 category
May 7, 1993
5:50 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado touched down five miles south of Red Cloud and moved northwest. A home was damaged just south of Inavale.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Red Cloud, NE
F4 category
Mar 13, 1990
5:05 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F1 category
Mar 14, 1987
4:55 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F2 category
Sep 18, 1986
8:15 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F0 category
Jun 23, 1985
5:10 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
UNK category
Jul 17, 1978
8:30 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
UNK category
Apr 7, 1978
5:25 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
UNK category
May 16, 1977
6:35 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F0 category
May 20, 1957
2:15 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 68970
Webster County · 1,582 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
Showing 14 of 14
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 68970 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 68970 area census snapshot

People & households
Population1,243
Households555
Housing units695
Income
Median household income$60,250
$100k+ households35.3%
$150k+ households5.8%
Housing stock
Single-family detached613
Attached single-family16
Small multifamily41
Large multifamily5
Mobile homes20
Housing mix
Single-family share88.2%
Attached-home share2.3%
Multifamily share6.6%
Mobile-home share2.9%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied426
Renter-occupied129
Vacant units140
Home value & age
Median home value$72,400
Owner homes $300k+1.9%
Owner homes $500k+0.9%
Owner homes $750k+0.9%
Median year built1938
Older-home share89.1%
Vehicle context
Households with cars510
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 68970 have on record?

Our records show 63 hail, 44 wind, and 14 tornado reports in and near ZIP 68970, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 17, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 68970?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 68970 is 4.50″. It was reported near Red Cloud, NE on June 13, 1998.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 68970 — 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 68970 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 68970 — 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 68970 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 68970 — 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 68970 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 68970 — 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 68970, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 68970, 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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