Storm reports for May 23, 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 23 →

On May 23, 1997, 19 hail, 2 damaging-wind and 1 tornado reports were logged across 6 states. The largest hail reported was 1.75″ (golf ball size) in Hillsborough County, FL.

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 (19)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $22,000 in property damage from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (23 events in 6 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Hillsborough County, FL (near Tampa) · Thunderstorm wind · $20,000
  “Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and powerlines in Thonotosassa. One downed tree caused major damage to a restaurant in Thonotosassa.”
• Washington County, AL (near Millry) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $2,000
  “Trees and power lines were blown down near Millry.”
• Harris County, TX (near Cypress) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph
  “Spotter report of 60 mph gusts at HWY 290 & Tookey Rd.”
• Hillsborough County, FL (near Tampa) · Hail 1.75″
  “Quarter to golfball sized hail was reported by Skywarn Spotters in Thonotosassa.”
• Washington County, AL (near Mc Intosh) · Hail 1.00″
  “Quarter size hail was reported in McIntosh.”
• Perry County, MS (near Janice) · Hail 0.75″
  “Dime size hail was reported along SH 29 about five miles south of Janice.”

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