Kansas, 1997

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Kansas, May 1 to 29, 1997

May 1 to 29, 1997 · NWS DDC · 163 events in 24 counties and zones

117 hail, 26 thunderstorm wind, 11 tornado, 5 flash flood, 2 high wind, 1 heavy rain, 1 flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 9 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
1
Property damage
$159,000
Crop damage
$100,000
Events
163

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 Dodge City radar (KDDC), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

117 hail, 26 thunderstorm wind, 11 tornado, 5 flash flood, 2 high wind, 1 heavy rain, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Finney

When
May 1, 3:57 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Holcomb
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.980, -100.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Finney

When
May 1, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
37.970, -100.870

Trees and power lines blown down in center of town.

Hail, Finney

When
May 1, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 17 mi ENE of Garden City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.070, -100.580

Hail, Finney

When
May 1, 4:32 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 11 mi SW of Garden City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.850, -101.020

Hail, Finney

When
May 1, 4:48 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City Arpt
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.930, -100.730

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 5:05 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 15 mi WNW of Jetmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.170, -100.150

Hail, Gray

When
May 1, 5:06 PM CST
Where
Gray County, 7 mi NNE of Charleston
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.970, -100.520

Hail, Seward

When
May 1, 5:07 PM CST
Where
Seward County, Liberal
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.030, -100.930

Hail, Seward

When
May 1, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Seward County, Liberal
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.030, -100.930

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 5:22 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 7 mi N of Jetmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.180, -99.900

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 5:53 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 4 mi S of Jetmore
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.030, -99.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 5:53 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 4 mi S of Jetmore
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates
38.030, -99.900

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 1, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, Rozel
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
38.200, -99.400

Hail 1 to 2 inches deep

Hail, Meade

When
May 1, 6:10 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 16 mi SSW of Meade
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.070, -100.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Edwards

When
May 1, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Edwards County, 10 mi N of Kinsley
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
38.070, -99.420

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 1, 6:20 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, 4 mi E of Rozel
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.200, -99.330

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 6:35 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 8 mi N of Jetmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.200, -99.900

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 6:40 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, Hanston
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.120, -99.720

Hail, Comanche

When
May 1, 7:25 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, 10 mi S of Protection
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.050, -99.480

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 1, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 14 mi WNW of Jetmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.170, -100.130

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 1, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, 1 mi N of Sanford
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.200, -99.320

High Wind, Scott

When
May 2, 11:30 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Scott forecast zone
Measured
63 kt (72 mph)
Coordinates
38.482, -100.907 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Gray

When
May 2, 12:37 PM CST
Where
Gray County, Cimarron
Coordinates
37.738, -100.438 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Damage to a porch, door and shingles as a cold front moved through.

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:21 PM CST
Where
Barber County, Kiowa
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.020, -98.520

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:28 PM CST
Where
Barber County, Kiowa
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.020, -98.520

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Barber County, Kiowa
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.020, -98.520

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Barber County, 2 mi E of Kiowa
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.020, -98.480

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:46 PM CST
Where
Barber County, 6 mi ENE of Kiowa
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.050, -98.420

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 3:47 PM CST
Where
Barber County, 3 mi S of Hazelton
Measured
1.5 in hail
Coordinates
37.050, -98.400

Hail, Barber

When
May 7, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Barber County, Kiowa
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.020, -98.520

Hail, Ellis

When
May 16, 3:45 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 3 mi N of Walker
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.920, -99.070

Hail, Stevens

When
May 16, 4:08 PM CST
Where
Stevens County, 9 mi NW of Hugoton
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.280, -101.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Stevens

When
May 16, 4:08 PM CST
Where
Stevens County, 9 mi NW of Hugoton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.280, -101.470

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 16, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, 6 mi N of Burdett
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.280, -99.520

Hail, Stevens

When
May 16, 4:32 PM CST
Where
Stevens County, Hugoton
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.180, -101.350

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 16, 4:35 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, 3 mi SE of Burdett
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.170, -99.480

Hail, Stevens

When
May 16, 4:38 PM CST
Where
Stevens County, 1 mi NE of Feterita
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.170, -101.470

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 16, 4:42 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, Rozel
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.200, -99.400

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 16, 4:47 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, Jetmore to 13 mi E of Jetmore
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.950, -99.730

Hail, Edwards

When
May 16, 4:58 PM CST
Where
Edwards County, Kinsley
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.920, -99.420

Hail, Pawnee

When
May 16, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Pawnee County, 11 mi N of Ash Valley
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.470, -99.220

Hail, Stevens

When
May 16, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Stevens County, 7 mi NW of Feterita
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.220, -101.570

Hail, Edwards

When
May 16, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Edwards County, Kinsley
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.920, -99.420

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 5:25 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 5:35 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
1.25 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 5:40 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Hail, Morton

When
May 16, 5:40 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 5 mi WNW of Rolla
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.150, -101.720

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 5:43 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 5:47 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 6:13 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 12 mi SSW of Dodge City
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.580, -100.100

Hail swath 3 miles wide by 15 miles long

Hail, Gray

When
May 16, 6:24 PM CST
Where
Gray County, Ensign
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.650, -100.230

Thunderstorm Wind, Gray

When
May 16, 6:24 PM CST
Where
Gray County, Ensign
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates
37.650, -100.230

Hail, Ford

When
May 16, 6:28 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 11 mi SW of Dodge City
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.630, -100.170

Hail, Meade

When
May 16, 6:43 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 7 mi N of Fowler
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.480, -100.200

Hail, Clark

When
May 16, 6:50 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 5 mi W of Minneola
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.430, -100.050

Hail, Meade

When
May 16, 6:54 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 2 mi N of Fowler
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.420, -100.200

Hail, Meade

When
May 16, 6:56 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 1 mi N of Fowler
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.400, -100.200

Hail, Clark

When
May 16, 7:00 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 6 mi SW of Minneola
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.370, -100.050

Hail, Meade

When
May 16, 7:05 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 16 mi SSE of Meade
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.070, -100.220

Hail, Clark

When
May 16, 7:06 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 4 mi W of Minneola
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.430, -100.030

Hail, Clark

When
May 16, 7:12 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 4 mi W of Minneola
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.430, -100.030

Hail, Rush

When
May 17, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Rush County, 5 mi ESE of Loretta
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
38.620, -99.100

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 4:38 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, Preston
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -98.550

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 4:42 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 8 mi NE of Pratt
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.730, -98.630

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 4:54 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 6 mi W of Preston
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -98.670

Hail, Stafford

When
May 18, 5:20 PM CST
Where
Stafford County, 4 mi S of Zenith
Measured
1.25 in hail
Coordinates
37.900, -98.480

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 5:31 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi W of Preston
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -98.600

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 5:32 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi W of Preston
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -98.600

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 5:55 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 2 mi S of Preston
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.720, -98.550

Hail, Hamilton

When
May 18, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, 13 mi NE of Syracuse
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.120, -101.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When
May 18, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, 13 mi NE of Syracuse
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
38.120, -101.580

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:17 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 6 mi SW of Preston
Measured
2.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.680, -98.630

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:20 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi W of Preston
Measured
2.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.750, -98.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:20 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi W of Preston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.750, -98.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:24 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 10 mi E of Preston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.750, -98.370

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:28 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 2 mi S of Pratt
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.620, -98.730

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:31 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi E of Pratt
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.650, -98.680

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:35 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, Pratt
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.650, -98.730

Hail, Kearny

When
May 18, 6:40 PM CST
Where
Kearny County, 12 mi WNW of Lakin
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.020, -101.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Pratt

When
May 18, 6:44 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, Pratt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.650, -98.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Kearny

When
May 18, 6:50 PM CST
Where
Kearny County, 12 mi NNW of Lakin
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
38.120, -101.330

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 7:21 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 5 mi S of Cullison
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.570, -98.900

Hail, Finney

When
May 18, 7:25 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.970, -100.870

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 7:25 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, Pratt
Measured
1.5 in hail
Coordinates
37.650, -98.730

Hail, Finney

When
May 18, 7:28 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.970, -100.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Stanton

When
May 18, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Stanton County, 3 mi N of Johnson
Property damage
$4,000
Coordinates
37.620, -101.750

Power lines blown down

Flash Flood, Pratt

When
May 18, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 3 mi S of Pratt
Coordinates
37.648, -98.740 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water over highway 283 and over Coats road

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 7:34 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 5 mi W of Coats
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.520, -98.920

Thunderstorm Wind, Finney

When
May 18, 7:37 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.970, -100.870

Hail, Pratt

When
May 18, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 2 mi N of Croft
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.530, -99.000

Also had 3.5 inches of rain at CROFT

Thunderstorm Wind, Finney

When
May 18, 7:58 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Garden City Arpt
Measured
62 kt (71 mph)
Coordinates
37.930, -100.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When
May 18, 8:05 PM CST
Where
Grant County, 4 mi S of Ulysses
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.530, -101.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Finney

When
May 18, 8:12 PM CST
Where
Finney County, Pierceville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.880, -100.670

Hail, Gray

When
May 18, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Gray County, Cimarron
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.800, -100.350

Thunderstorm Wind, Gray

When
May 18, 8:25 PM CST
Where
Gray County, 5 mi S of Cimarron
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.730, -100.350

Hail, Gray

When
May 18, 8:27 PM CST
Where
Gray County, 4 mi SW of Cimarron
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.770, -100.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Seward

When
May 18, 8:34 PM CST
Where
Seward County, Liberal Arpt
Measured
51 kt (59 mph)
Coordinates
37.050, -100.970

Hail, Ford

When
May 18, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 6 mi SSW of Howell
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.700, -100.230

Hail, Kiowa

When
May 18, 8:51 PM CST
Where
Kiowa County, 6 mi W of Belvidere
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.450, -99.200

Hail piled deep - residents of 80 years had never seen hail that deep. Also, had 5 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ford

When
May 18, 9:00 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City to 9 mi of Ford
Property damage
$15,000
Crop damage
$100,000
Coordinates
37.650, -100.130

Swath of 5 miles wide flattened crops, broke branches and destroyed fences.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ford

When
May 18, 9:05 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 7 mi SW of Dodge City
Property damage
$15,000
Coordinates
37.680, -100.100

Sprinkler irrigation system damaged...tree limbs down...fence tore down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
May 18, 9:05 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 8 mi S of Plains
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.150, -100.600

Hail, Ford

When
May 18, 9:07 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 11 mi SW of Dodge City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.630, -100.170

Hail, Meade

When
May 18, 9:20 PM CST
Where
Meade County, Meade to 11 mi of Collano
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.170, -100.470

Location is Meade State Park

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When
May 18, 9:27 PM CST
Where
Meade County, Meade
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
37.280, -100.330

Heavy Rain, Kiowa

When
May 18, 10:00 PM CST
Where
Kiowa County, Belvidere
Measured
1000
Coordinates
37.558, -99.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ten inches of rain fell in 4 hours. Some basements had 8 feet of water in them.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
May 18, 10:01 PM CST
Where
Clark County, Ashland
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates
37.180, -99.770

Hail, Comanche

When
May 18, 10:06 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, Protection
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.200, -99.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
May 18, 10:27 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 10 mi N of Englewood
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates
37.180, -99.980

Flash Flood, Pratt

When
May 18, 11:12 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 4 mi S of Pratt
Coordinates
37.648, -98.740 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water over highway 281

Flash Flood, Pratt

When
May 18, 11:55 PM CST
Where
Pratt County, 2 mi E of Pratt
Coordinates
37.648, -98.740 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several roads flooded at the Pratt County Lake.

Hail, Hamilton

When
May 22, 5:50 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, 1 mi E of Coolidge
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.030, -101.980

Hail, Stanton

When
May 24, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Stanton County, 2 mi SW of Manter
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.500, -101.920

Hail, Morton

When
May 24, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 11 mi ENE of Richfield
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.330, -101.600

Hail, Grant

When
May 24, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Grant County, 5 mi S of Ulysses
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.520, -101.370

Hail, Finney

When
May 24, 5:35 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 20 mi ENE of Garden City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.080, -100.530

Hail, Finney

When
May 24, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 14 mi ENE of Garden City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.050, -100.630

Hail, Scott

When
May 24, 6:37 PM CST
Where
Scott County, Scott City
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.480, -100.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Seward

When
May 24, 6:55 PM CST
Where
Seward County, Liberal Arpt
Measured
51 kt (59 mph)
Coordinates
37.050, -100.970

Hail, Meade

When
May 24, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Meade County, Fowler
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.380, -100.200

Hail, Meade

When
May 24, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Meade County, Fowler
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.380, -100.200

Tornado, Scott

When
May 25, 3:15 PM CST to 3:17 PM CST
Where
Scott County, 13 mi SE of Scott City
Rating
F0
Path length
2 mi
Path width
50 yd
Coordinates
38.350, -100.730

Moved very slowly...video taped by pilot.

Tornado, Finney

When
May 25, 3:29 PM CST to 3:30 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 9 mi NNE of Garden City Arpt
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
30 yd
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
38.050, -100.670

Simultaneously with another small tornado.

Tornado, Finney

When
May 25, 3:30 PM CST to 3:31 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 10 mi NNE of Garden City Arpt
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
30 yd
Coordinates
38.070, -100.670

Hail, Finney

When
May 25, 3:43 PM CST
Where
Finney County, 10 mi NE of Garden City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.070, -100.730

Tornado, Trego

When
May 25, 3:44 PM CST
Where
Trego County, 17 mi SW of Wakeeney
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
50 yd
Coordinates
38.850, -100.100

Hail, Trego

When
May 25, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Trego County, 14 mi SW of Wakeeney
Measured
1.25 in hail
Coordinates
38.870, -100.070

Hail, Ellis

When
May 25, 4:17 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 6 mi NW of Hays
Measured
1.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.930, -99.400

Hail, Ellis

When
May 25, 4:33 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 4 mi N of Hays
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
38.920, -99.320

Hail, Ellis

When
May 25, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 11 mi NE of Hays
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
38.980, -99.170

Hail, Morton

When
May 28, 3:09 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 9 mi NW of Elkhart
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.100, -102.020

Hail completely covered the ground.

Hail, Morton

When
May 28, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 5 mi W of Elkhart
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.000, -101.980

Hail, Meade

When
May 28, 5:40 PM CST
Where
Meade County, 6 mi E of Meade
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
37.280, -100.220

Hail covered the ground to 6 inches deep.

Hail, Morton

When
May 29, 2:04 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 3 mi N of Richfield
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.320, -101.780

Hail, Gray

When
May 29, 2:10 PM CST
Where
Gray County, 8 mi NE of Cimarron
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.880, -100.250

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:29 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 8 mi NW of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
0.2 mi
Path width
20 yd
Coordinates
37.830, -100.120

Very brief tornado filmed by chaser.

Hail, Hodgeman

When
May 29, 2:30 PM CST
Where
Hodgeman County, 20 mi SW of Jetmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.880, -100.170

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:31 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City to 8 mi NW of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
0.3 mi
Path width
30 yd
Coordinates
37.830, -100.120

Two brief tornadoes filmed by chaser.

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:31 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City to 8 mi NW of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
0.2 mi
Path width
30 yd
Coordinates
37.830, -100.120

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:39 PM CST to 2:40 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 7 mi NW of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
40 yd
Coordinates
37.820, -100.100

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:42 PM CST to 2:46 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City to 5 mi NW of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
1.7 mi
Path width
100 yd
Coordinates
37.800, -100.080

Fifth tornado filmed by chaser.

Hail, Ford

When
May 29, 2:55 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 8 mi N of Dodge City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.870, -100.020

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 2:58 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 3 mi N of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
0.2 mi
Path width
20 yd
Coordinates
37.800, -100.020

Tornado filmed by another chaser.

Hail, Grant

When
May 29, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Grant County, 1 mi N of Ulysses
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.600, -101.370

Hail, Grant

When
May 29, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Grant County, Ulysses
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.580, -101.370

Hail, Grant

When
May 29, 3:18 PM CST
Where
Grant County, 8 mi SW of Ulysses
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.500, -101.470

Hail, Ford

When
May 29, 3:23 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 8 mi N of Dodge City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.870, -100.020

Hail, Ford

When
May 29, 3:37 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$100,000
Coordinates
37.750, -100.020

Flood, Ford

When
May 29, 3:50 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates
37.692, -99.888 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thirteen year old youth was swept down a drainage ditch and carried 1.5 miles before being rescued.

Hail, Morton

When
May 29, 3:50 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 9 mi NW of Elkhart
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.100, -102.020

Tornado, Ford

When
May 29, 4:00 PM CST to 4:07 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Dodge City to 12 mi SSE of Dodge City
Rating
F0
Path length
5 mi
Path width
100 yd
Coordinates
37.580, -100.020

Tornado wrapped in rain much of the time, filmed by chaser.

Hail, Ford

When
May 29, 4:03 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 11 mi SE of Dodge City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
37.630, -99.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Ford

When
May 29, 4:03 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 11 mi SE of Dodge City
Measured
73 kt (84 mph)
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
37.630, -99.870

Irrigation system overturned.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ford

When
May 29, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Bloom
Measured
64 kt (74 mph)
Coordinates
37.480, -99.900

Hail, Morton

When
May 29, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 12 mi E of Richfield
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.270, -101.570

Hail, Clark

When
May 29, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 6 mi E of Minneola
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.430, -99.850

Hail, Stanton

When
May 29, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Stanton County, 14 mi SE of Johnson
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.420, -101.570

Hail, Ford

When
May 29, 4:34 PM CST
Where
Ford County, Kingsdown
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.530, -99.750

Flash Flood, Ford

When
May 29, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Ford County, 2 mi S of Kingsdown
Coordinates
37.692, -99.888 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water over highway 94.

Hail, Morton

When
May 29, 5:02 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 8 mi NE of Elkhart
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.080, -101.800

Hail, Clark

When
May 29, 5:04 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 12 mi NE of Ashland
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
37.300, -99.620

Hail, Comanche

When
May 29, 5:23 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, 2 mi N of Protection
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
37.230, -99.480

Flash Flood, Clark

When
May 29, 5:40 PM CST
Where
Clark County, 13 mi N of Ashland
Coordinates
37.236, -99.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water over highway 94 1 mile east of Clark Sate Lake.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
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.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kansas in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 1997Warnings in Kansas, May 1997

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: 5618643, 5618644, 5618645, 5618646, 5618647, 5618648, 5618649, 5618650, 5618651, 5618652, 5618653, 5618654, 5618655, 5618656, 5618657, 5618658, 5618659, 5618660, 5618661, 5618662, 5618663, 5618664, 5618665, 5618666, 5618667, 5618668, 5618669, 5618670, 5618671, 5618672, 5618673, 5618674, 5618675, 5618676, 5618677, 5618678, 5618679, 5618680, 5618739, 5618740, and more.