Tornado and Hail in Texas, May 5, 1995

Name: Tornado and Hail in Texas, May 5, 1995
Start: 1995-05-05T00:00
End: 1995-05-05T23:50
Location: Texas

May 5, 1995 · 68 events in 31 counties and zones

35 hail, 32 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 67 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 109
Property damage: $1.2 billion
Crop damage: $60,000
Events: 68

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 Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:07 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

35 hail, 32 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: May 5, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Dallas County
Coordinates: 32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At 1948 CDT, a large, slow moving high precipitation supercell began moving into western Dallas County. A squall line merged with this storm producing record rainfall across Dallas. In some areas over three inches of rain fell in 30 minutes and five inches in one hour. Massive flash flooding occurred, with areas flooding that have never flooded before. Sixteen people drowned and many people were stranded and had to be rescued.

Thunderstorm Wind, Young

When: May 5, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Young County, North Centraltexas
Property damage: $1.2 billion
Coordinates: 33.177, -98.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Just after 1730 CDT, a thunderstorm developed rapidly on the Palo Pinto/Parker County line ahead of an intense squall line over the western part of north Texas. This storm quickly became severe, producing hail up to golf ball-size 18 inches deep across southern parts of Parker County, and flash flooding resulting in two deaths. The storm continued to intensify as it moved into Tarrant County around 1900 CDT, producing baseball-size hail in Benbrook. As the storm moved east-northeast across Fort Worth, softball-size hail was reported at many locations. At Mayfest, a large outdoor festival located at Trinity Park in Fort Worth, an estimated 10,000 people were caught in the open with little available shelter. Hail up to softball-size injured many people. The storm continued moving east-northeast across Tarrant County producing large hail, wind damage, and flash flooding producing rainfall, with one flash flood death. At 1948 CDT, as the storm began moving into Dallas County, the squall line that was to the west merged with the severe thunderstorm. This merger resulted in record rainfall and massive flash flooding the remainder of the night across Dallas County, with 17 people drowned and many stranded by high water. Total estimated damage across Parker, Tarrant, and Dallas counties, from this storm, is estimated at over $1.2 billion, the costliest thunderstorm event in the history of the United States.

Hail, Fisher

When: May 5, 12:35 AM CST
Where: Fisher County, Rotan
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.743, -100.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Kent

When: May 5, 12:45 AM CST
Where: Kent County, Girard
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.181, -100.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Martin

When: May 5, 10:10 AM CST
Where: Martin County, Tarzan
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.306, -101.951 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A farmer reported a tornado that damaged eight trees, as well as a metal grain bin and four sections of an irrigation system. Quarter-size hail accompanied this storm.

Tornado, Martin

When: May 5, 10:10 AM CST to 10:14 AM CST
Where: Martin County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 32.300, -102.050

A farmer reported a tornado that damaged eight trees, as well as a metal grain bin and four sections of an irrigation system. Quarter-size hail accompanied this storm.

Hail, Ector

When: May 5, 1:42 PM CST
Where: Ector County, Odessa
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 31.869, -102.543 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Reported by a SKYWARN spotter.

Hail, Mitchell

When: May 5, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Mitchell County, Colorado City
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Crop damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 32.306, -100.921 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Midland

When: May 5, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Midland County, Midland
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.869, -102.032 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An off-duty NWS employee reported dime size hail in west Midland, and a SKYWARN Spotter reported quarter-size hail south of Midland.

Hail, Midland

When: May 5, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Midland County, Midland
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 31.869, -102.032 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An off-duty NWS employee reported dime size hail in west Midland, and a SKYWARN Spotter reported quarter-size hail south of Midland.

Hail, Pecos

When: May 5, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Pecos County, Bakersfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 30.781, -102.724 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Up to nickel-size hail lasted for 15 minutes in Bakersfield.

Hail, Taylor

When: May 5, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Taylor County, Abilene
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.301, -99.890 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Haskell

When: May 5, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Haskell County, Haksell
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.178, -99.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Haskell

When: May 5, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Haskell County, Sagerton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.178, -99.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Jones

When: May 5, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Jones County, Hawley
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.740, -99.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Stephens

When: May 5, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, Breckenridge
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 32.736, -98.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Young

When: May 5, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Young County, Loving
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.177, -98.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Parker

When: May 5, 5:17 PM CST
Where: Parker County, Dennis
Coordinates: 32.778, -97.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75) Weatherford,05,1719CST,,,0,0,?,0,Hail (1.75) Weatherford,05,1720CST,,,0,0,?,0,Thunderstorm Winds (G52)

Hail, Parker Se

When: May 5, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Parker Se County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.778, -97.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported in the Anetta area 18 inches deep with drifts three feet deep. County roads became iced over resulting in accidents and cars sliding into bar ditches. The area was described as "looking like the dead of winter with vegetation totally stripped from trees and shrubs and the ground white as if covered with snow". Total damage across Parker County for this storm was estimated at $20 million.

Hail, Parker Se

When: May 5, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Parker Se County, Aledo
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $4.0 million
Coordinates: 32.778, -97.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large hail damaged automobiles, businesses and at least 380 homes resulting in an estimated $4 million in damages.

Hail, Comanche

When: May 5, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, Comanche
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 31.948, -98.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A downburst blew a chicken house away, did roof damage to a barn, and blew windows out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Comanche

When: May 5, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, Comanche
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 31.948, -98.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A downburst blew a chicken house away, did roof damage to a barn, and blew windows out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:00 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tarrant County Races logged over 80 reports of large hail from Benbrook east-northeast into northeast Tarrant County. Thousands of homes and cars received significant damage. Flash flooding was a problem with one person drowned, several roofs collapsed by water, and numerous intersections flooded. Wind damage also occurred with several reports of wind gusts over 70 miles an hour. Across the County, 257 business structures were damaged by a combination of wind, hail and water. West Fort Worth,05,1800CST,,,0,0,?,0,Hail (2.75)

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, White Settlement
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down along with some large tree limbs on the south end of Lake Benbrook.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Benbrook
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down along with some large tree limbs on the south end of Lake Benbrook.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Lake Benbrook
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down along with some large tree limbs on the south end of Lake Benbrook.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Carswell Naval to Air Station
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 21 year old man drowned while attempting to cross St. Marys Creek at Link Hill Drive, about one mile east of the Parker/Tarrant County line. (M21V).

Thunderstorm Wind, Crockett

When: May 5, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Crockett County, Ozona
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 30.723, -101.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75)

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Baseball-size hail was reported just west of downtown Fort Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:20 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 3.5 in hail
Injuries: 109 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At Trinity Park, just west of downtown Fort Worth, an outdoor festival, called Mayfest, was in progress. Over 10,000 people were caught in the open with little shelter by hail up to softball-size. One hundred nine people were treated for injuries at hospitals, four people were in critical condition. Many injuries occurred as parents covered their children with their bodies to protect them from the hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brown

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Brown County, Blanket
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 31.774, -99.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The roofs were blown off two houses by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brown

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Brown County, May
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 31.774, -99.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hood

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Hood County, Tolar
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 32.430, -97.832 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The front of a building was collapsed by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Erath

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Erath County, Bluff Dale
Coordinates: 32.236, -98.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds caused extensive tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Comanche

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, Comanche
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 31.948, -98.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A downburst blew a chicken house away, did roof damage to a barn, and blew windows out.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 4 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Considerable damage was sustained to buildings in the downtown area.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Half dollar-size hail was reported at the National Weather Service Office in north Fort Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Baseball-size hail was reported in east Fort Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 4 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grapefruit-size hail was reported at Television Station KXAS in southeast Fort Worth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The wind gusted to 75 miles an hour at Television Station KXAS in southeast Fort Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:46 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, North Richland to Hills
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread street flooding was reported, and water rose into several homes.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Hurst
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Redford
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wall was blown in at the GE warehouse in south Fort Worth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Comanche

When: May 5, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, Energy
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 31.948, -98.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind damage to roofs and barns was reported.

Hail, Tarrant

When: May 5, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Arlington
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large hail caused considerable damage at a mobile home park on the west side of Lake Arlington.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Arlington
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The roof of a girl's dormitory was partially blown off at the Arlington Baptist College.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: May 5, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Coordinates: 32.772, -97.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A GM parts plant at I-35 and Everman Parkway had $20 million damage done to a collapsed roof and blown in wall. In the same area Morgan Spa reported major damage, and an RV park just north of Morgan Spa had 15 to 20 RV's blown from west to east and stacked up against a cyclone fence.

Hail, Dallas

When: May 5, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Northwest Dallas
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Sutton

When: May 5, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Sutton County, Sonora
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.498, -100.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: May 5, 7:32 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Farmers Branch
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 5, 7:48 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Hamilton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 31.705, -98.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: May 5, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Grand Prairie
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The roof of the Haggar Plant near Love Field collapsed from too much water, crushing two people to death. In addition, 21 people were injured, and 100 people were trapped by fallen debris. (F60O, F26O)

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: May 5, 8:03 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Waxahachie
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 32.348, -96.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous power lines and a tree were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kaufman

When: May 5, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Kaufman County, Terrell
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 32.599, -96.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was blown down onto a car by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bosque

When: May 5, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Bosque County, Valley Mills
Coordinates: 31.900, -97.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was uprooted by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: May 5, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Aleman
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 31.705, -98.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Zandt

When: May 5, 9:08 PM CST
Where: Van Zandt County, Canton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 32.564, -95.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When: May 5, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Hill County, Hillsboro
Coordinates: 31.991, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Zandt

When: May 5, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Van Zandt County, Edom
Coordinates: 32.564, -95.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 5, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Hamilton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.705, -98.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Limestone

When: May 5, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Limestone County, Coolidge
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 31.546, -96.580 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: May 5, 9:45 PM CST
Where: Smith County, Noonday
Coordinates: 32.375, -95.269 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Hail, McLennan

When: May 5, 9:50 PM CST
Where: McLennan County, Lorena
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.552, -97.202 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Kaufman

When: May 5, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Kaufman County, Forney
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 32.599, -96.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was blown down onto a car by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Limestone

When: May 5, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Limestone County, Mexia
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 31.546, -96.580 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Limestone

When: May 5, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Limestone County, Prairie Hill
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.546, -96.580 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Zandt

When: May 5, 11:50 PM CST
Where: Van Zandt County, Edom
Measured: 2 kt (2 mph)
Coordinates: 32.564, -95.836 (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 Texas in 1995 Every state in 1995 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 1995 Warnings in Texas, 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: 10352252, 10355043, 10351645, 10350520, 10354373, 10354374, 10352488, 10350808, 10353859, 10353860, 10353486, 10352930, 10351085, 10351086, 10350505, 10353529, 10355044, 10353315, 10350889, 10350890, 10352222, 10352223, 10352837, 10352838, 10352839, 10352840, 10352841, 10352078, 10352842, 10352843, 10347677, 10348059, 10351265, 10351558, 10352224, 10352844, 10352845, 10352846, 10352847, 10352848, and more.