Storm reports for May 15, 1997

IndependentNot affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports. Data through November 6, 2026. Methodology

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Other storms on May 15 →

On May 15, 1997, 54 hail, 17 damaging-wind and 3 tornado reports were logged across 11 states. The largest hail reported was 1.75″ (golf ball size) in Mobile County, AL.

Storm day runs 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. Eastern (12:00–12:00 UTC), the convention the Storm Prediction Center uses. Radar hail estimates start October 2019.

Storm reports by state

Cities with hail reported within 5 miles

Hail reports (54)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $2 million in property damage and $3,000 in crop damage from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (85 events in 11 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Randall County, TX (near Amarillo) · Hail 1.25″ · $2 million
  “Numerous cars damaged at car dealerships at 34th Street and Georgia Street.”
• Trinity County, TX (near Groveton) · Tornado F0 · $5,000
  “Weak tornado downed trees 9 miles east of Groveton”
• Wilson County, TX (near La Vernia) · Thunderstorm wind · $5,000
  “Wind damage reported to outbuildings. Several trees uprooted by the severe winds.”
• Bexar County, TX (near St Hedwig) · Thunderstorm wind · $5,000
  “Widespread reports received from St. Hedgwick of trees blown over by severe winds.”
• Beauregard Parish, LA (near Singer) · Thunderstorm wind · $5,000
  “Power poles were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds.”
• Llano County, TX (near Llano) · Thunderstorm wind · $3,000
  “Sheriff's department reported utility poles blown over.”

Event narratives from NWS Storm Data, shortened. Up to six per day, chosen by deaths, injuries, damage and size.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Storm Events Database, as entered by National Weather Service offices; data through July 31, 2026. Damage is in dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation.

Guides: What radar-estimated hail (MESH) is and isn't · Storm reports: preliminary vs final