Storm reports for May 20, 2004

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

← May 19, 2004 All 2004 storm days · May 2004 May 21, 2004 →

Other storms on May 20 →

On May 20, 2004, 86 hail, 79 damaging-wind and 1 tornado reports were logged across 21 states. The largest hail reported was 3.00″ (teacup size) in Racine County, WI.

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 (86)

Damage, injuries and deaths

National Weather Service offices recorded about $886,000 in property damage, $125,000 in crop damage and 1 injury from hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes across the US on this storm day (173 events in 20 states). Injuries and deaths are those the events caused directly.

What the National Weather Service wrote

• Ohio County, WV (near Elm Grove) · Thunderstorm wind 79 mph · $75,000 · 1 injury
  “A microburst ripped through Elm Grove. It was 150 yards wide and 600 yards long, with an estimated wind of 80 mph (69 kt). Several houses had significant damage; some roofs were blown off. Houses were damaged by flying debris. One house had severe damage, 6 had major damage, 9 had minor damage.”
• Stark County, OH (near Alliance) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $150,000
  “Thunderstorm winds caused considerable damage in Alliance and adjacent Washington Township. Dozens of trees were downed in these areas. A house just south of Alliance was heavily damaged by a fallen tree.”
• Erie County, PA (near Elgin) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $75,000
  “A thunderstorm downburst damaged two homes along Nash Hill Road to the south of Elgin. Both homes sustained roof and siding damage and also had some windows broken. Several trees in the area were also downed.”
• Somerset County, PA (near Bakersville) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $50,000
  “National Weather Service strom survey found that straight line winds felled numerous trees along Route 31 between Bakersville and Lavansville. One home in Bakersville sustained major structural damage when a large oak tree fell onto the structure.”
• Crawford County, PA (near Guys Mills) · Tornado F0 · $50,000
  “An F0 tornado touched down along Plank Road west of Guys Mills at 7:30 p.m. The tornado damage path was approximately a mile long and 20 to 40 yards wide. Only one house was damaged along the path (by a fallen tree) but dozens of trees were downed.”
• Fayette County, PA (near Uniontown) · Thunderstorm wind 58 mph · $45,000
  “Large trees and power lines down. Two 60-foot trees fell onto cars and a house. Other trees blew down across Route 381.”

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