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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Gary, IN

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Gary, IN from August 7, 1958 through August 11, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 46402 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
7
Wind Reports
51
Tornado Reports
2
Max Hail Size
2.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Gary, IN · 1958–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 11, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Gary, IN

7 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.75″ hail
Jul 13, 2015
6:55 PM CST-6
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.48 SSE Gary, IN
0.75″ hail
Jun 11, 2013
3:43 PM CST-6
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.48 SSE Gary, IN
1.00″ hail
Sep 27, 2009
9:21 PM CST-6
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 WSW Gary, IN
0.75″ hail
Jun 22, 2008
5:04 PM CST-6
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 E Gary, IN
0.75″ hail
Jun 7, 1995
5:15 PM EST
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Golf ball- to ping-pong ball-size hail fell at Hammond. Half an inch to three-quarters inch hail and 54 mph winds occurred at Gary Airport. Tree limbs and power lines were downed throughout the northern part of the county.
NWS Hail Report Location: Gary, IN
2.00″ hail
Mar 27, 1991
4:55 PM CST
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, IN
2.00″ hail
Jul 1, 1983
6:45 PM CST
Hail report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, IN
Showing 7 of 7
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 Gary, IN

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
99 mph
Aug 11, 2026
4:09 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Peak gust of 86 kt or 99 mph measured at Gary Airport Tower.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
4:06 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: large branches downed_ at least 1 tree uprooted in the Pulaski neighborhood.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Ese Gary, IN
58 mph
May 18, 2026
4:13 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Gary Airport AWOS GYY reported 58 mph wind gust from the south.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
63 mph
Jul 24, 2025
8:34 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: GYY AWOS.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
74 mph
Mar 30, 2025
7:55 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Gary Airport GYY reported 74 mph gust. Winds sustained at 48 mph for 10 minutes.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
UNK mph
Mar 30, 2025
7:55 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Lake County EMA reports power poles snapped in Gary. Time estimated by radar... location approximate.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary, IN
UNK mph
Mar 19, 2025
10:47 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Branches down. Garage collapsed. Roof damage. Power pole damage. Time estimated by radar. Reports from emergency management and social media.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 WSW Gary, IN
58 mph
Apr 5, 2023
1:27 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
59 mph
Jun 16, 2022
12:38 AM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
60 mph
Mar 25, 2022
10:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
60 mph
Aug 11, 2021
3:36 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: KGYY AWOS PEAK GUST.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 WNW Gary, IN
58 mph
Aug 11, 2021
1:30 AM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
62 mph
Nov 13, 2020
12:45 AM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 62 MPH GUST MEASURED AT GARY REGIONAL AIRPORT.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
58 mph
Jun 28, 2020
1:13 AM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: MEASURED WIND GUST TO 58 MPH AT THE GARY AIRPORT.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary Airport, IN
UNK mph
Sep 25, 2018
11:43 PM UTC
Wind report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREES AND POWERLINES DOWNED.
NWS Wind Report Location: Gary, IN
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 and near Gary, IN

2 reports
UNK category
Mar 19, 2025
10:50 PM UTC
Tornado report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Damage surveys confirmed an EF-0 tornado. A tornado touched down near Norton Park... just south of West 13th Avenue in Gary. This brief tornado blew tree debris across roadways and uprooted several small trees east of the Gary Business District with estimated winds of 73 mph. The tornado dissipated around MLK Drive... just north of East 7th Avenue before reaching the Dunes Highway.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SW Gary, IN
UNK category
Mar 19, 2025
10:47 PM UTC
Tornado report for Gary, IN
Lake County · 154,584 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: *** 1 INJ *** Damage surveys confirmed an EF-1 tornado. A tornado touched down near Morton Street between West 23rd Avenue and West 22nd Plaza in Gary. This brief tornado ripped a portion of the gymnasium roof off of Frankie Woods McCullough Academy... blew out the garage and ripped off the roofs of several homes on West 21st Avenue... as well as bent several power poles and light fixtures. Officials reported an adult female was injured due to part of the roof collapsing onto them. They were taken to the hospital and were reported to be in stable condition. The tornado dissipated just before the New Revelation Baptist Church on West 21st Avenue... just before Chase Street.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 WSW Gary, IN
Showing 2 of 2
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 Gary, IN on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Gary

46402 25
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46403 9
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46404 2
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46406 31
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46407 2
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46408 2
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46409 3
Gary, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46312 17
East Chicago, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46405 12
Lake Station, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46410 35
Merrillville, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46323 11
Hammond, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46368 74
Portage, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports
46342 38
Hobart, IN Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Gary, IN area census snapshot

People & households
Population68,604
Households27,432
Housing units37,963
Income
Median household income$37,380
$100k+ households18.9%
$150k+ households6.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached27,272
Attached single-family2,255
Small multifamily3,925
Large multifamily3,663
Mobile homes835
Housing mix
Single-family share71.8%
Attached-home share5.9%
Multifamily share20.0%
Mobile-home share2.2%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied12,994
Renter-occupied14,438
Vacant units10,531
Home value & age
Median home value$85,300
Owner homes $300k+6.0%
Owner homes $500k+1.4%
Owner homes $750k+0.8%
Median year built1957
Older-home share88.6%
Vehicle context
Households with cars23,244
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 Gary have on record?

Our records show 7 hail, 51 wind, and 2 tornado reports in and near Gary, IN, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 11, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Gary?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Gary, IN is 2.00″. It was reported near Gary, IN on March 27, 1991.

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

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

I am selling a home in Gary — 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 Gary address?

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