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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Benton County, MN

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Benton County, MN from August 7, 1956 through August 7, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 55371 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
106
Wind Reports
60
Tornado Reports
7
Max Hail Size
3.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Benton County, MN · 1956–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 7, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Benton County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Aug 7, 2026
4:01 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 E St. Cloud, MN
1.00″ hail
Aug 7, 2026
3:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: mping.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 Ne St. Cloud, MN
1.50″ hail
Jul 4, 2026
10:04 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: First reported quarter sized hail around 4:58pm... then half dollar at 5:02pm... then ping pong at 5:04pm.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NNE St. Cloud, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 24, 2022
6:55 AM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: MPING REPORT.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 ENE Sauk Rapids, MN
1.00″ hail
Jun 24, 2022
6:55 AM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
1.00″ hail
May 12, 2022
4:37 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN FROM 11:37-11:48AM. SENT VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 SW Foley, MN
1.50″ hail
May 12, 2022
12:33 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: PHOTO MEASUREMENT.
NWS Hail Report Location: Foley, MN
2.00″ hail
May 12, 2022
12:28 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: FACEBOOK PHOTOS OF HAIL RELAYED BY NWS DULUTH.
NWS Hail Report Location: Foley, MN
1.25″ hail
May 12, 2022
12:22 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: PHOTO SENT VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER. HAIL STARTED AT 722AM AND ENDED AT 729AM. MOSTLY QUARTER SIZE WITH 1.25 INCH MIXED IN.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 SW Foley, MN
1.50″ hail
May 9, 2022
2:03 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
2.50″ hail
Aug 28, 2021
5:00 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL WAS MEASURED. IT WAS ALSO WEIGHED THE NEXT DAY AT 2.64 OUNCES. MULTIPLE VEHICLES HAD WINDOWS BROKEN AND WERE DENTED. SIDING ON HOUSES WAS ALSO DENTED. WINDOWS WERE BROKEN IN HOUSES AND OUTBUILDINGS.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 NE Sauk Rapids, MN
1.75″ hail
Aug 28, 2021
5:00 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: PICTURE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA WITH A HALF DOLLAR AND GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL STONE WITH TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SW Gilman, MN
1.25″ hail
Aug 28, 2021
4:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL DAMAGED HOME SIDING.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 N Sauk Rapids, MN
1.50″ hail
Aug 28, 2021
4:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
1.50″ hail
Jul 26, 2019
10:37 PM UTC
Hail report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
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.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in Benton County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
60 mph
Jun 29, 2025
3:00 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Mesonet station MN064 T.h.10 - Rice - Mp 162.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Rice, MN
UNK mph
Jun 13, 2024
12:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Downed tree was reported via X. Photo included. Time was estimated.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ronneby, MN
UNK mph
Jun 13, 2024
12:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree damage. Reported via mPING.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SSE Sauk Rapids, MN
60 mph
May 30, 2022
9:50 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNE Rice, MN
UNK mph
Sep 3, 2019
2:27 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: REPORT FROM MPING: 1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; SHINGLES BLOWN OFF.
NWS Wind Report Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
65 mph
Sep 3, 2019
2:11 AM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: MESONET STATION MN064 RICE 1NNW.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Rice, MN
UNK mph
Jun 25, 2016
9:50 PM UTC
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A FEW TREES DOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NNE Sartell, MN
64 mph
Jun 21, 2013
1:55 AM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A barn was blown down near Gilman. In addition, numerous trees were blown down around the area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.52 SSW Gilman, MN
64 mph
Jun 21, 2013
1:50 AM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Numerous trees were blown down from west to east near Popple Creek.
NWS Wind Report Location: .69 S Popple Creek, MN
60 mph
Jun 20, 2013
11:25 PM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A few trees were blown down south of Morrill, Minnesota.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.6 WSW Brennyville, MN
60 mph
Aug 3, 2012
9:50 PM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A large tree was blown down in Foley.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.19 SE Foley, MN
64 mph
May 1, 2012
5:34 PM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Wind speed measured by a private weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3.65 WSW Parent, MN
60 mph
Aug 2, 2011
7:30 AM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several large trees were blown down near Glendorado.
NWS Wind Report Location: .48 E Glendorado, MN
64 mph
Aug 2, 2011
7:08 AM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several large trees were blown down in Sauk Rapids.
NWS Wind Report Location: .69 S Sauk Rapids, MN
60 mph
Jul 19, 2011
8:30 AM CST-6
Wind report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several large branches, up to 10 inches in diameter, were blown off trees in Oak Park, Minnesota.
NWS Wind Report Location: .84 NE Oak Park, MN
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 Benton County

7 reports
UNK category
May 9, 2022
9:32 PM UTC
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED BRIEF TORNADO ON THE GROUND FOR 5 MINUTES. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 SW Gilman, MN
EF0 category
Aug 24, 2014
4:47 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A supercell thunderstorm developed west of St. Cloud in eastern Stearns County around 3:45 PM CST. The storm gradually became better organized as it entered Benton County. A classic hook echo formed as it crossed U.S. Highway 10 around 4:25 PM CST and began to produce a tornado at 4:47 PM CST 3 miles south southwest of Morrill. The tornado produced a narrow swath of mainly tree damage along its path east northeast, but some minor structural damage was also noted - such as a roof being torn off from a farm outbuilding. The tornado moved into Morrison County at 4:56 PM CST. The tornado was photographed and caught on video by numerous storm chasers, spotters and others.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3.36 NNE Jakeville, MN
F2 category
Jun 16, 1992
10:50 PM CST
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F0 category
Sep 12, 1982
4:20 PM CST
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F2 category
Sep 12, 1982
3:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F2 category
Jun 17, 1977
3:15 PM CST
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
F2 category
Jul 18, 1970
7:10 PM CST
Tornado report for Benton County, MN
Benton County · 11,495 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, MN
Showing 7 of 7
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 Benton County on the Interactive Map

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Wind
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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Benton County

Sauk Rapids, MN 40
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Foley, MN 37
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Rice, MN 36
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Gilman, MN 33
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Ronneby, MN 15
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Benton County, MN area census snapshot

People & households
Population41,458
Households16,494
Housing units17,484
Income
Median household income$71,480
$100k+ households42.5%
$150k+ households17.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached11,495
Attached single-family277
Small multifamily818
Large multifamily3,695
Mobile homes1,197
Housing mix
Single-family share65.8%
Attached-home share1.6%
Multifamily share25.8%
Mobile-home share6.9%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied11,192
Renter-occupied5,302
Vacant units990
Home value & age
Median home value$247,100
Owner homes $300k+32.8%
Owner homes $500k+7.4%
Owner homes $750k+1.9%
Median year built1985
Older-home share42.2%
Vehicle context
Households with cars15,511
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 Benton County

55371 81
Princeton, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56329 72
Foley, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56304 50
St. Cloud, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56379 47
Sauk Rapids, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56367 46
Rice, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56377 41
Sartell, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56373 40
Royalton, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56330 14
Foreston, MN Hail, wind & tornado reports
56357 6
MN Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Benton 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 Benton County have on record?

Our records show 106 hail, 60 wind, and 7 tornado reports in Benton County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 7, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Benton County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Benton County is 3.50″. It was reported near .76 SSW North Benton, MN on July 1, 2011.

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

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

I am selling a home in Benton 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 Benton County address?

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