Storm reports for December 23, 1997

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

← Dec 22, 1997 All 1997 storm days · December 1997 Dec 24, 1997 →

Other storms on December 23 →

On December 23, 1997, 15 hail, 29 damaging-wind and 0 tornado reports were logged across 4 states. The largest hail reported was 1.75″ (golf ball size) in Forrest County, MS.

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 (15)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $477,000 in property damage from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (51 events in 4 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Harris County, TX (near Houston) · Thunderstorm wind · $40,000
  “Numerous trees, powerlines and 3 billboards blown down across the western half of the Houston metropolitan area.”
• Harris County, TX (near Houston) · Thunderstorm wind · $20,000
  “Numerous trees and powerlines blown down and substantial wind damage across eastern half of the Houston metropolitan area.”
• Fort Bend County, TX (near Sugarland) · Thunderstorm wind · $10,000
  “Numerous trees blown down and roof damage in the Cinco Ranch Subdivision.”
• Colorado County, TX (near Weimar) · Thunderstorm wind · $10,000
  “Trees, sheds, and powerlines blown down across the county (Weimar, Columbus, Eagle Lake).”
• Wharton County, TX (near Hungerford) · Thunderstorm wind · $5,000
  “Billboard blown down at CR 221 & HWY 59.”
• Mobile County, AL (near Semmes) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $2,000
  “Several large limbs were blown down near the intersection of Howells Ferry and Snow roads just south of Semmes.”

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