Storm reports for May 15, 1998

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, 1998, 39 hail, 309 damaging-wind and 26 tornado reports were logged across 11 states. The largest hail reported was 3.00″ (teacup size) in Koochiching County, MN. Tornadoes killed 1.

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 (39)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $982 million in property damage, $1.3 million in crop damage, 100 injuries and 1 death from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (453 events in 11 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Stearns County, MN (near Albany) · Tornado F1 · $3 million · 1 death · 30 injuries
  “Tornado struck outdoor flea market in Albany, blowing numerous recreational vehicles over. One man was killed when a recreational vehicle was blown on top of him. 30 others were injured. A farmstead was severely damaged northeast of St. Francis just before liftoff of the tornado.”
• Lafayette County, WI (near Benton) · Tornado F2 · $1.7 million · 11 injuries
  “A supercell thunderstorm, after dropping a couple tornadoes in northeast Iowa, eventually moved northeast into Lafayette county, creating another tornado. This tornado touched down just southwest of Benton and hopped/skipped northeast for 20 miles.”
• Pepin County, WI (near Durand) · Tornado F3 · $100,000 · 6 injuries
  “Tornado touched down in northern Buffalo County, and continued on ground for 9 miles into eastern Pepin County. Two homes were destroyed in Pepin County. House collapse injured 6 family members. Trailer home also damaged.”
• Dunn County, WI (near Meridean) · Tornado F1 · $1.9 million · 1 injury
  “Chemical fertilizer plant northwest of Elk Mound sustained most of the severe damage. One house and a mobile home near Elk Mound were also destroyed. 7 other homes damaged. One man injured by flying glass.”
• Blue Earth County, MN (near Mankato) · Thunderstorm wind 70 mph · 1 injury
  “Measured at law enforcement center. Extensive tree damage. Windows blown out. Semitrailer blown over on highway 14 injuring one person.”
• Hennepin County, MN (near Bloomington) · Hail 0.75″ · $450 million
  “Severe damage to automobile dealership. Damage estimate for entire county.”

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