Heads up! Small hail spotted in these regions: Sebring, FL • Owensboro, KY • North Port, FL • Durham, NC • Champaign, IL • Evansville, IN • Fort Myers, FL • Mattoon, IL • Knoxville, TN • Corpus Christi, TX      ATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for these regions: Farmington, NM • Louisville, KY • Winston, NC • Greensboro, NC • Rock Springs, WY • Provo, UT • Logan, UT • Ogden, UT • Salt Lake City, UT      
HailGeeks
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Santa Cruz County, CA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Santa Cruz County, CA from April 1, 1965 through February 18, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 95076 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
6
Wind Reports
35
Tornado Reports
8
Max Hail Size
1.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Santa Cruz County, CA · 1965–present Updated  Daily · last Feb 18, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Santa Cruz County

6 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Jan 20, 2010
2:10 PM PST-8
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: A hail storm occurred in the mountains of Santa Cruz County. A report of one inch diameter hail came from a motorist traveling along Eureka canyon Road north of Corralitos.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 N Corralitos, CA
0.75″ hail
Mar 10, 2006
10:30 PM PST
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Live Oak, CA
0.75″ hail
Oct 27, 2004
1:35 PM PST
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 7 NW Boulder Creek, CA
1.00″ hail
Dec 20, 2001
7:00 PM PST
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 NE Watsonville, CA
0.75″ hail
Dec 20, 2001
4:20 PM PST
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: From the same storm system 3/4 inch hail was reported covering the ground 2 nm n of Watsonville. The hail damaged a large greenhouse. In a separate report there was golf ball sized hail reported in the same area.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Watsonville Muni Arp, CA
1.75″ hail
Apr 1, 1965
12:30 PM CST
Hail report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, CA
Showing 6 of 6
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 Santa Cruz County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Feb 18, 2026
5:06 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree blocking the right lane of southbound California Highway 17 at Crescent Drive.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NE Scotts Valley, CA
91 mph
Dec 26, 2025
11:30 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous report of non-thunderstorm wind gust. Mesonet station OSOWW ONeill Sea Odyssey.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SW Live Oak, CA
UNK mph
Dec 25, 2025
11:13 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on all lanes of State Route 9 at Douglas Avenue.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNW Boulder Creek, CA
UNK mph
Feb 6, 2025
10:37 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree blocking the road at Glenwood Drive and Bean Creek Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 N Scotts Valley, CA
UNK mph
Feb 5, 2025
1:45 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large... low hanging branch hanging over southbound Glen Canyon Road... hitting the top of vehicles on the northbound lane.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NW Live Oak, CA
UNK mph
Apr 5, 2024
1:45 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large pine tree blown down.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 ENE Soquel, CA
UNK mph
Mar 4, 2024
1:55 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: NWS survey team found tree damage consistent with 70-80 mph straight-line winds in the vicinity of Larkin Valley Road and Larkin Vista Lane.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Aptos Hills-Larkin, CA
UNK mph
Feb 20, 2024
12:26 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down in roadway... 3 foot in diameter. SR 236 and China Grade Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NW Boulder Creek, CA
UNK mph
Mar 30, 2023
4:00 AM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: CHP REPORTS THREE TREES AS WELL AS POWER LINES DOWN ON SCHULTIES RD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 S Lexington Hills, CA
UNK mph
Mar 29, 2023
8:52 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: REPORT OF TREE DOWN WITH WIRES DOWN NEAR LOVE CREEK RD AND FRITCH RD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNW Ben Lomond, CA
UNK mph
Mar 21, 2023
8:29 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LINES DOWN ACROSS ROADWAY. WESTERN AVE AND SR 9. ROAD CLOSED AT SR9.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Ben Lomond, CA
UNK mph
Mar 21, 2023
8:26 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES DOWN BLOCKING ROADWAY 4286 BONNY DOON ROAD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 W Felton, CA
UNK mph
Mar 21, 2023
8:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: BIG TREE AND WIRES DOWN NEAR W PARK AVE AND RIDGE DRIVE.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 WSW Boulder Creek, CA
UNK mph
Mar 21, 2023
8:24 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: WIRES DOWN. 151 CASSERLY ROAD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Interlaken, CA
UNK mph
Mar 21, 2023
8:19 PM UTC
Wind report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: WIRES DOWN BETWEEN SUMMIT AND SR1.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SE Lexington Hills, CA
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.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in Santa Cruz County

8 reports
UNK category
Dec 14, 2024
9:40 PM UTC
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Social media reports of cars overturned and tree damage in and across Scotts Valley. Also video evidence of a tornado. Time estimated via radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SW Scotts Valley, CA
UNK category
Jan 6, 2019
8:19 PM UTC
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: WATERSPOUT CROSSED THE SANTA CRUZ WHARF... STRIKING THE DOLPHIN RESTAURANT AND REMOVING APPROXIMATELY 35 PERCENT OF ITS ROOF. THE TORNADO ALSO MOVED SEVERAL PICNIC TABLES A FEW FEET FROM THEIR ORIGINAL POSITION. THE DOLPHIN GENERAL MANAGER SAID THAT IT FELT LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE STRUCK THE BUILDING AT THE PEAK OF THE LUNCH HOUR... BUT THAT THE TORNADO DISSIPATED SHORTLY AFTER STRIKING THE WHARF.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SE Santa Cruz, CA
UNK category
Jan 6, 2019
7:59 PM UTC
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: WATERSPOUT MOVED ONSHORE ALONG WEST CLIFF DRIVE... JUST WEST OF WOODROW AVE. AS IT MOVED ONSHORE... IT PICKED UP A CONSTRUCTION SIGN... AND TOSSED IT INTO THE MAILBOX ACROSS THE STREET. IT ALSO TOPPED TWO AGAVE CACTI IN THE DRIVEWAY... BEFORE HITTING TWO TREES... STRIPPING SEVERAL SMALL AND LARGE LIMBS OFF OF THESE TREES BEFORE DISSIPATING.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 S Santa Cruz, CA
EF0 category
Dec 22, 2012
6:59 AM PST-8
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: EF-0 tornado moved onshore from Monterey Bay into coastal Santa Cruz County in the early morning of December 22. The tornado caused tree damage and significant damage to commercial greenhouse structures at a large farm. Broken fiberglass panels and bent metal frame poles were observed at the greenhouse with debris thrown several dozen yards south of the damage path into adjacent fields. the tornado caused additional minor damage to 4 adjacent greenhouse structures. Debris was wrapped around electric poles south of the damage path. The greenhouse operators indicated that they lost 25 percent of their lisianthus flower crop, over 3,000 Gerbea crop, and 40,000 square feet of greenhouse space. Minor tree damage was observed along San Andreas Road nearby. Damage path was 1.07 miles and 20 yards wide. Damage consistent with an EF-0 tornado estimated at 75 MPH.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.76 S Ellicott, CA
F1 category
Dec 20, 2001
4:45 PM PST
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A minor tornado was spawned from a line of convection across the Monterey bay that went ashore near Watsonville CA. The storm downed a power line by snapping off four poles, destroyed a green house and some trailers, then about a half a mile to the east tore the off off a barn as well as downing some mateure ( 5 feet in diameter) euclyptus trees.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 N Watsonville Muni Arp, CA
F0 category
Dec 5, 1998
8:30 PM PST
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Santa Cruz, CA
F0 category
Feb 3, 1986
1:00 PM PST
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CA
F1 category
Apr 1, 1965
12:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, CA
Showing 8 of 8
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 Santa Cruz County on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Santa Cruz County

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Santa Cruz County, CA area census snapshot

People & households
Population266,021
Households96,873
Housing units106,635
Income
Median household income$109,266
$100k+ households41.3%
$150k+ households19.8%
Housing stock
Single-family detached68,056
Attached single-family8,935
Small multifamily13,287
Large multifamily9,123
Mobile homes6,978
Housing mix
Single-family share63.8%
Attached-home share8.4%
Multifamily share21.0%
Mobile-home share6.5%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied58,102
Renter-occupied38,771
Vacant units9,762
Home value & age
Median home value$1,015,200
Owner homes $300k+93.0%
Owner homes $500k+85.9%
Owner homes $750k+69.6%
Median year built1973
Older-home share63.7%
Vehicle context
Households with cars91,766
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.

Top ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Santa Cruz County

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Santa Cruz County? 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 hail, wind, and tornado reports does Santa Cruz County have on record?

Our records show 6 hail, 35 wind, and 8 tornado reports in Santa Cruz County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on February 18, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Santa Cruz County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Santa Cruz County is 1.75″. It was reported near Corralitos, CA on April 1, 1965.

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

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

I am selling a home in Santa Cruz County — 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 Santa Cruz County address?

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