Storm reports for May 20, 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 20 →

On May 20, 1997, 4 hail, 5 damaging-wind and 1 tornado reports were logged across 6 states. The largest hail reported was 1.00″ (quarter size) in Val Verde County, TX.

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 (4)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $0 in property damage from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (10 events in 6 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Bannock County, ID (near Pocatello) · Hail 0.75″ · $0
  “Hail up to 3/4 inch diameter along Ranch and Plateau Streets in west bench area of Pocatello damaged porch awning.”
• Idaho County, ID (near Riggins) · Thunderstorm wind 70 mph
  “Two reports of thunderstorm wind gusts 60-70 mph at Riggins. They broke off small tree limbs, and blew shingles and parts of roofs off structures. The storm lasted about an hour.”
• Maricopa County, AZ (near Mesa) · Thunderstorm wind 60 mph
  “Wind gust was estimated by a weather spotter at Apache Trail and Ellsworth Road.”
• Presidio County, TX (near Presidio) · Hail 0.75″
  “A northeasterly upslope flow into the mountains of northern Chihuahua formed storms in the mountainous terrain. These storms were advected over the top of a frontal boundary and crossed the Rio Grande near Presidio where the hail fell.”
• Bannock County, ID (near Inkom) · Hail 0.75″
  “Heavy rain and hail caused minor flooding along lower Inman Creek.”
• Orange County, FL (near Apopka) · Thunderstorm wind
  “Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines in Apopka.”

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