Tornadoes and Hail in Missouri, May 18, 1995

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Missouri, May 18, 1995
Start: 1995-05-18T00:01
End: 1995-05-18T12:57
Location: Missouri

May 18, 1995 · 42 events in 21 counties and zones

26 hail, 13 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 5
Property damage: $371,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 42

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 hail, 13 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 18, 12:01 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Chaffee
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 37.053, -89.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Cape Girardeau

When: May 18, 12:05 AM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau County, Countywide
Coordinates: 37.384, -89.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Dunklin

When: May 18, 12:07 AM CST
Where: Dunklin County, Campbell
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 36.106, -90.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Mississippi

When: May 18, 12:20 AM CST
Where: Mississippi County, New Madrid
Property damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 36.828, -89.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Mississippi

When: May 18, 12:33 AM CST
Where: Mississippi County, Countywide
Coordinates: 36.828, -89.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Boone

When: May 18, 7:23 AM CST
Where: Boone County, Sturgeon
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.991, -92.310 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported.

Hail, Audrain

When: May 18, 7:39 AM CST
Where: Audrain County, Centralia
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.216, -91.842 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported.

Hail, Laclede

When: May 18, 7:50 AM CST
Where: Laclede County, Springfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Monroe

When: May 18, 8:05 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Santa Fe
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 39.496, -92.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail ranged in size from three-quarters inch to one and one-quarter inches.

Hail, Laclede

When: May 18, 8:15 AM CST
Where: Laclede County, Springfield
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Laclede

When: May 18, 8:15 AM CST
Where: Laclede County, Elkland
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Ralls

When: May 18, 8:25 AM CST
Where: Ralls County, Perry
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 39.528, -91.522 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Laclede

When: May 18, 8:55 AM CST
Where: Laclede County, Lebanon
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Christian

When: May 18, 9:00 AM CST
Where: Christian County, Bruner
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.970, -93.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Laclede

When: May 18, 9:05 AM CST
Where: Laclede County, Lebanon
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Pulaski

When: May 18, 9:25 AM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Waynesville
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 37.825, -92.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A large severe thunderstorm produced large hail in Waynesville, including the sheriff's office. The same storm knocked down several trees and produced large hail at Dixon. A few cars were dented by the hail.

Tornado, Pulaski

When: May 18, 9:25 AM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Waynesville
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $30,000
Coordinates: 37.730, -92.200

A tornado touched down six miles south of Waynesville along the Roubidoux Creek at a sand and gravel company. The tornado heavily damaged a building at the company as well as some of the vehicles in the parking lot. Two people inside of a pick-up truck received cuts when gravel blown by the tornado shattered the windows of the vehicle. Once the event was over gravel had accumulated two inches on the floor of the truck. The tornado then travelled one mile to the east and turned over a trailer, damaged two barns and twisted apart several power line poles. Only scattered tree damage was reported between the two locations where the property damage occurred.

Hail, Pulaski

When: May 18, 9:40 AM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Dixon
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 37.825, -92.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: May 18, 9:40 AM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Dixon
Coordinates: 37.825, -92.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Phelps

When: May 18, 9:50 AM CST
Where: Phelps County, Rolla
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 37.877, -91.792 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees and power lines were knocked down north of Rolla.

Hail, Crawford

When: May 18, 10:04 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, Cuba
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.976, -91.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported southwest of Cuba but increased to the size of golf balls once the storm moved across the city.

Hail, Crawford

When: May 18, 10:13 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, Cuba
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.976, -91.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported southwest of Cuba but increased to the size of golf balls once the storm moved across the city.

Hail, Maries

When: May 18, 10:20 AM CST
Where: Maries County, Vienna
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 38.162, -91.925 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A county sheriff reported large hail on Highway 63 at the Gasconade River between Vienna and Vichy.

Hail, Crawford

When: May 18, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, .5 S Sullivan
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.976, -91.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported southwest of Cuba but increased to the size of golf balls once the storm moved across the city.

Hail, Franklin

When: May 18, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, Sullivan
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.411, -91.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 18, 10:41 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Richwoods
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 37.962, -90.877 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor structural damage was caused to a home and large trees were blown over. Gold ball-size hail was also reported.

Hail, Washington

When: May 18, 10:50 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Richwoods
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.962, -90.877 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor structural damage was caused to a home and large trees were blown over. Gold ball-size hail was also reported.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 18, 10:55 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Cedar Hill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.261, -90.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at many locations with a 60 mph wind gust reported at Victoria by the county sheriff's department.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 18, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, House Springs
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.261, -90.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at many locations with a 60 mph wind gust reported at Victoria by the county sheriff's department.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 18, 11:05 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, High Ridge
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.261, -90.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at many locations with a 60 mph wind gust reported at Victoria by the county sheriff's department.

Hail, St. Louis

When: May 18, 11:05 AM CST
Where: St. Louis County, Mehlville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.641, -90.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A local television meteorologist reported hail up to golf ball-size just before the Jefferson Barracks Bridge along Interstate 255.

Tornado, Ste. Genevieve

When: May 18, 11:05 AM CST
Where: Ste. Genevieve County, Festus to to Numerous Trees
Rating: F2
Path length: 7.2 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $195,000
Coordinates: 37.894, -90.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail damaged several cars and large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 18, 11:10 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Victoria
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 38.261, -90.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported at many locations with a 60 mph wind gust reported at Victoria by the county sheriff's department.

Hail, Dunklin

When: May 18, 11:50 AM CST to 12:12 PM CST
Where: Dunklin County, Campbell to Octa
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $100
Coordinates: 36.106, -90.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Ste. Genevieve

When: May 18, 12:05 PM CST
Where: Ste. Genevieve County, Were Slightly Injured to Ste. Genevieve
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 37.894, -90.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail damaged several cars and large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ste. Genevieve

When: May 18, 12:05 PM CST
Where: Ste. Genevieve County, Ste. Genevieve
Property damage: $400
Coordinates: 37.894, -90.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail damaged several cars and large trees were blown down.

Tornado, Cape Girardeau and Scott

When: May 18, 12:29 PM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau and Scott County, Randles to to Cape Girardeau
Path length: 8 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $70,000
Coordinates: 37.130, -89.780

A tornado skipped along an eight mile path from ten miles southwest to two miles south of Cape Girardeau. This path was roughly along the border between Scott and Cape Girardeau Counties. The tornado, witnessed by numerous spotters, destroyed outbuildings and barns. The funnel lifted before crossing the Mississippi River, and it was not known to have touched down in Illinois.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mississippi

When: May 18, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Mississippi County, Charleston
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 36.828, -89.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Dunklin

When: May 18, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Dunklin County, Northern Dunklin
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 36.106, -90.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were blown down.

Hail, Cape Girardeau

When: May 18, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau County, Delta
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.384, -89.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, New Madrid

When: May 18, 12:33 PM CST
Where: New Madrid County, Portageville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.595, -89.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, New Madrid

When: May 18, 12:57 PM CST
Where: New Madrid County, Portageville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 36.595, -89.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 1995 Every state in 1995 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Missouri, 1995 Warnings in Missouri, May 1995

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10335239, 10333281, 10332694, 10332208, 10332209, 10332379, 10333076, 10331923, 10333204, 10331924, 10331925, 10335055, 10331926, 10332471, 10331927, 10334946, 10334947, 10334948, 10334991, 10334708, 10332610, 10332611, 10332031, 10332612, 10332656, 10335020, 10335021, 10332289, 10332290, 10332291, 10335135, 10335190, 10332292, 10332695, 10334303, 10334304, 10333292, 10332210, 10332696, 10333282, and more.