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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Columbus, NE

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Columbus, NE from May 7, 1962 through September 12, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 68601 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
61
Wind Reports
96
Tornado Reports
5
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Columbus, NE · 1962–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 12, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Columbus, NE

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Aug 8, 2026
5:25 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Columbus, NE
1.00″ hail
May 19, 2025
9:39 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 W Richland, NE
1.75″ hail
May 19, 2025
9:38 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 W Richland, NE
3.00″ hail
May 19, 2025
9:30 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 ESE Columbus, NE
1.25″ hail
May 19, 2025
9:27 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SE Columbus, NE
1.00″ hail
May 19, 2025
9:24 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 WNW Columbus, NE
1.00″ hail
Sep 23, 2023
2:45 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report on X of nickel to quarter-size hail with the second round that just moved through.
NWS Hail Report Location: Columbus, NE
2.00″ hail
Sep 23, 2023
2:25 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Picture on X shows hail up to 2 inches in diameter from Columbus.
NWS Hail Report Location: Columbus, NE
1.75″ hail
Sep 23, 2023
2:25 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report via X with photo of golf-ball size hail at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SE Columbus, NE
1.00″ hail
May 12, 2023
9:27 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Columbus, NE
1.25″ hail
Dec 15, 2021
9:05 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Columbus, NE
1.25″ hail
Dec 15, 2021
9:04 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Columbus, NE
1.00″ hail
Jul 28, 2018
2:30 AM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT OF QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT THE LAKE STOP GAS STATION. VERY STRONG WINDS AS WELL BUT NO ESTIMATE OF MAGNITUDE.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 N Columbus, NE
1.50″ hail
Sep 24, 2017
8:40 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 ENE Columbus, NE
1.25″ hail
Sep 24, 2017
8:35 PM UTC
Hail report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SE Columbus, NE
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 and near Columbus, NE

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
62 mph
Sep 12, 2026
4:07 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal Weather Station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 Ne Columbus, NE
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2026
5:57 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report via Social Media. Backyard playground set displaced and destroyed. Time estimated from wind observation.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Wnw Columbus, NE
58 mph
Aug 18, 2026
5:57 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Columbus, NE
57 mph
Aug 18, 2026
5:56 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station measured gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Wnw Columbus, NE
61 mph
Aug 14, 2026
8:37 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured from the KOLU AWOS.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Ne Columbus, NE
61 mph
Jul 9, 2026
12:27 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal Weather Station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 WSW Richland, NE
60 mph
Jul 9, 2026
12:22 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Columbus, NE
60 mph
Jul 24, 2025
1:57 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Report of gusts around 60 mph on the NW side of Columbus via social media.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NW Columbus, NE
58 mph
May 19, 2025
9:40 PM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured on personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 WSW Richland, NE
63 mph
May 25, 2024
10:03 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNW Columbus, NE
58 mph
May 24, 2024
6:17 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured wind gust from a personal weather station of 58 mph.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 WSW Richland, NE
61 mph
May 24, 2024
5:51 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: KOLU ASOS.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NE Columbus, NE
90 mph
May 21, 2024
10:05 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple power poles snapped off on the northeast side of Columbus. Tree damage around Columbus as well.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NE Columbus, NE
UNK mph
Oct 4, 2023
12:14 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree limb blew down on to a camper... trapping an individual inside. No injuries reported.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Columbus, NE
73 mph
Oct 4, 2023
12:13 AM UTC
Wind report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Recorded at personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 WSW Richland, NE
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 Columbus, NE

5 reports
UNK category
May 31, 2024
6:13 AM UTC
Tornado report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: DELAYED REPORT: A likely tornado tracked from the north side of the Columbus airport... across open fields to the east. Several wooden power poles were snapped along 3rd Avenue. Winds north of the track were out of the NW and winds at the Columbus AWOS... south of the track... were out of the SSW... supporting the likelihood of this being a tornado embedded in a downburst.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 NNE Columbus, NE
UNK category
Dec 15, 2021
9:04 PM UTC
Tornado report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: *** 2 INJ *** UPDATES PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM COLUMBUS. A NARROW... FAST-MOVING... TORNADO BEGAN IN THE PARKING LOT OF A BUSINESS ALONG HOWARD BLVD WHERE IT TIPPED OVER A SEMI TRAILER AND PROCEEDED TO CAUSE ROOF... SIDING... FENCE... AND TREE DAMAGE. APPROXIMATELY ONE BLOCK LATER... IT CAUSED THE WORST DAMAGE OF THE ENTIRE TRACK WHERE AN ATTACHED GARAGE AND ENTIRE ROOF WERE REMOVED FROM A RANCH HOME. MUCH OF THE ROOF WAS DEPOSITED 20 TO 100 YARDS DOWNSTREAM. THE TORNADO PROCEEDED TO PRODUCE SPORADIC DAMAGE OVER THE NEXT TWO BLOCKS AND THEN A MORE CONSISTENT DAMAGE PATH FOR A 6 BLOCK PERIOD WHERE MANY HOMES HAD MINOR TO MODERATE ROOF DAMAGE AND SEVERAL TREES WERE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. THERE WAS THEN ANOTHER 5 BLOCKS OF SPORADIC MINOR TO MODERATE TREE AND ROOF DAMAGE FOLLOWED BY A 2 BLOCK STRETCH OF CONTINUOUS MINOR TO MODERATE ROOF AND SIDING DAMAGE. THE TORNADO THEN TRAVELED ACROSS OPEN FIELDS UNTIL REACHING THE INDIAN HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT SNAPPED TWO POWER POLES AND CAUSED GENERALLY
NWS Tornado Report Location: Columbus, NE
F0 category
May 26, 1973
4:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F1 category
Jul 16, 1969
4:50 PM CST
Tornado report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
F2 category
May 8, 1965
6:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Columbus, NE
Platte County · 10,844 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NE
Showing 5 of 5
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 Columbus, NE on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Columbus

68601 236
Columbus, NE Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Columbus, NE area census snapshot

People & households
Population24,188
Households9,664
Housing units10,234
Income
Median household income$67,212
$100k+ households41.1%
$150k+ households13.6%
Housing stock
Single-family detached7,381
Attached single-family431
Small multifamily1,048
Large multifamily1,024
Mobile homes350
Housing mix
Single-family share72.1%
Attached-home share4.2%
Multifamily share20.3%
Mobile-home share3.4%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied6,459
Renter-occupied3,205
Vacant units570
Home value & age
Median home value$198,900
Owner homes $300k+18.9%
Owner homes $500k+2.8%
Owner homes $750k+0.8%
Median year built1972
Older-home share64.4%
Vehicle context
Households with cars9,009
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 Columbus have on record?

Our records show 61 hail, 96 wind, and 5 tornado reports in and near Columbus, NE, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on September 12, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Columbus?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Columbus, NE is 3.00″. It was reported near Columbus, NE on May 19, 2025.

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

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

I am selling a home in Columbus — 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 Columbus address?

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