Storm reports for May 30, 1998

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

← May 29, 1998 All 1998 storm days · May 1998 May 31, 1998 →

Other storms on May 30 →

On May 30, 1998, 112 hail, 273 damaging-wind and 25 tornado reports were logged across 13 states. The largest hail reported was 5.00″ (softball size) in Story County, IA. Tornadoes killed 6.

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 (112)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $438 million in property damage, $38.3 million in crop damage, 363 injuries and 11 deaths from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (460 events in 13 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• McCook County, SD (near Spencer) · Tornado F4 · $17 million · 6 deaths · 150 injuries
  “The tornado from Hanson County destroyed most of Spencer as it strengthened and continued to grow. Most homes, other buildings, and other structures in Spencer were completely levelled.”
• Ottawa County, MI (near Grand Haven) · Thunderstorm wind · $34.6 million · 1 death · 20 injuries
  “Michigan State Police EMD's Damage and Injury Assessment Report indicated $4,195,604 in public damage costs, 17 homes destroyed, 827 homes damaged, 8 businesses destroyed, and 129 businesses damaged.”
• Clinton County, MI (near Hubbardston) · Thunderstorm wind · $503,000 · 1 death
  “Michigan State Police EMD's Damage and Injury Assessment Report indicated $502,700 in public damage costs, 910 homes damaged, 2 homes destroyed, and 131 businesses damaged. Private property damage estimates were not available. Damage was widespread across the county, with the cities of St.”
• Kent County, MI (near Sand Lake) · Thunderstorm wind · $49.3 million · 53 injuries
  “Michigan State Police EMD's Damage and Injury Assessment Report indicated $4,336,751 in public damage costs, 53 injuries, 63 homes destroyed, 1196 homes damaged, 15 businesses destroyed, and 173 businesses damaged in Kent County, excluding the City of Grand Rapids (see separate Grand Rapids…”
• Oceana County, MI (near Pentwater) · Thunderstorm wind · $4 million · 37 injuries
  “Michigan State Police EMD Damage and Injury Assessment Report indicated $4,018,760 in public damage costs, 37 injuries, 26 homes destroyed, 1415 homes damaged, 6 businesses destroyed, and 109 businesses damaged. Private damage cost estimates were not available.”
• Montcalm County, MI (near Howard City) · Thunderstorm wind · $14 million · 23 injuries
  “Michigan State Police EMD's Damage and Injury Assessment Report indicated $453,000 in public damage costs, 23 injuries, 6 individuals being sheltered, 400 homes damaged, 30 homes destroyed, 40 businesses damaged, and 50 vacation residences either damaged or destroyed.”

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