Minnesota Severe Storms/Hail
One of the severe storm disasters on NOAA’s billion-dollar list: $3.2 billion in losses at 2024 prices ($1.6 billion at the time) and 1 deaths.
What the offices filed during it
The 240 most significant severe storm episodes filed in these dates, colored by kind.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Losses, 2024 dollars
- $3.2 billion
- Losses at the time
- $1.6 billion
- Deaths
- 1
The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.
By state, as filed
| State | Events | Deaths | Injuries | Damage filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 180 | 1 | 33 | $954 million |
| Iowa | 157 | 0 | 48 | $21 million |
| Wisconsin | 65 | 0 | 19 | $4.4 million |
| Nebraska | 60 | 0 | 1 | $3.1 million |
| Texas | 34 | 0 | 4 | $677,000 |
| North Carolina | 4 | 0 | 0 | $450,000 |
| Kansas | 47 | 0 | 2 | $333,000 |
| Oklahoma | 58 | 0 | 0 | $313,000 |
| Virginia | 32 | 0 | 0 | $150,000 |
| Missouri | 2 | 0 | 0 | $50,000 |
| South Dakota | 33 | 0 | 0 | $44,000 |
| Kentucky | 8 | 0 | 0 | $14,000 |
| West Virginia | 4 | 0 | 0 | $12,000 |
| Illinois | 10 | 0 | 0 | $4,000 |
| Idaho | 3 | 0 | 0 | $1,000 |
| North Dakota | 8 | 0 | 0 | $600 |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Michigan | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Arizona | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Colorado | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Utah | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| California | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Maryland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Episode by episode
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 13, 1998Trees downed.
- Tornado and Hail in South Dakota, May 13 to 20, 1998Hail broke car windshield.
- Lightning Strike in Kentucky, May 13, 1998An old opera house in the downtown area caught fire as lightning struck it. The roof and ceiling of the top floor were heavily damaged.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, May 14, 1998The strong wind blew trees down.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 14 to 15, 1998Lightning struck a church in Angus, igniting a fire that totally destroyed the church.
- Hail in Minnesota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in Minnesota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in Minnesota, May 14, 1998
- Tornado in Arizona, May 14, 1998Three NWS employees observed this weak tornado on the Kaibab Plateau.
- Damaging Wind in Colorado, May 14, 1998Microburst winds flipped over 2 metal barns, or lean-tos, and tore the siding off a nearby trailer. The barns were lifted 4 feet off the ground and blown 6 to 8 feet. No one was injured, but a dog received a broken leg when one of the barns flipped over on him.
- Hail in Nebraska, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Flash Flooding in Puerto Rico, May 14, 1998Various roads across Orocovis and Morovis were impassable due to river Cibuco overflowing its banks. Landslides were also reported in rural sectors.
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, May 14 to 15, 1998Scattered severe storms affected the eastern South Plains (mainly east of the caprock) late on the 14th and early on the 15th. There were a few hail reports, but much of the impact was due to high winds.
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Texas, May 14, 1998Severe thunderstorms developed during the evening hours across the southeast Texas panhandle producing hail and strong winds.
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, May 14 to 15, 1998A cluster of severe thunderstorms developed over portions of western Oklahoma during the evening of May 14th, before a large and intense line of severe thunderstorms accompanied by damaging winds and large hail moved into western Oklahoma and eventually central Oklahoma during…
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998Dime size hail covered the ground and broke a few windows.
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14 to 15, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in South Dakota, May 14, 1998
- Hail in Texas, May 14 to 15, 1998A Pacific Cold Front pushed eastward into the Permian Basin late on the evening of the 14th. 00Z soundings in the area showed a fairly strong capping inversion that was suppressing deep convection in the area.
- Flash Flood in Puerto Rico, May 15, 1998River Cibuco went out of its banks along some low sectors of Vega Alta and flooded various roads and highways.
- Damaging Winds in Kansas, May 15, 1998Overnight thunderstorms produced high winds across parts of north-central Kansas. Smith Center reported tree damage, power lines down and some roof and small building damage.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, May 15, 1998Severe thunderstorms raked across the eastern Texas panhandle during the early morning hours producing very damaging winds along with some hail. The hardest hit locations were the town of McLean in southeastern Gray county and around Canadian in Hemphill county.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, May 15, 1998Small trees and outbuildings blown over
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Overnight thunderstorms produced some high winds and hail in parts of south-central Nebraska. Just west of Franklin, a machine shed was virtually destroyed by the wind.
- Hail in South Dakota, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Winds in Texas, May 15, 1998Isolated severe thunderstorms developed over Knox and Wilbarger Counties during the early morning of May 15th. Four to five inch diameter tree limbs were blown down near Truscott in Knox County and utility poles were snapped 5 miles northwest of Vernon in Wilbarger County.
- Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in South Dakota, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds gusting to around 80 mph bent over a highway billboard sign on south Highway 15. Also, at a farm, a chicken shed was blown apart, several large trees were snapped off or uprooted, and some utility poles were leaning over.
- Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Oklahoma, May 15, 1998Summary of events for May 15 1998:A line of strong to severe thunderstorms that originally developed over the Texas panhandle moved eastward into Osage and Pawnee Counties around 600 AM CDT on the morning of May 15.
- Damaging Wind in Virginia, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds during the morning hours on the 15th knocked down trees in Amherst County. Some of the trees landed on power lines.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed numerous large limbs onto power lines and several vehicles.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down large tree limbs and several utility poles.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds broke 8 to 10 inch tree limbs.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds tore a large section of the roof off two houses and ripped the entire roof off of a storage shed. The winds also downed several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed several large limbs.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down power lines.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds overturned and destroyed a mobile home, injuring two people.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down 8 utility poles along 29th street in the southwest part of town.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down one utility pole and several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds damaged three trailer homes in addition to downing power lines and several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds toppled a 60 foot silo onto several pieces of farm machinery including a tractor and pick-up truck. The winds also tore the roof off two metal sheds and knocked down large tree limbs.
- Lightning Strike in Kansas, May 15, 1998Lightning struck a house and caused a small fire. No major damage occurred.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998A large truck was overturned by strong winds.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds destroyed a large hog shed.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong wind downed several large limbs, one of which punch a small hole in the roof of a house and smashed the windshield on an adjacent car.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down a small shed.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds flattened two small sheds and knocked down a large tree.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds destroyed three small sheds and one large barn.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Two sheds and several large tree limbs were knocked down by strong wind gusts.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds tore a small section of the roof off one house and shattered windows on another. The winds also destroyed two hay barns and down numerous large tree limbs and several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed large tree limbs.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds damaged a barn.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds knocked down several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds tore all or most of the roof off a house, a mobile home, and two businesses. An automobile shop also lost a wall and two bay doors. Windows were shattered on many other homes and businesses. Numerous large trees and tree limbs were knocked down as well.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds rolled over a camper.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Utility poles were knocked down at the intersection of Kansas road K9 and US Highway 75.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed large trees and damaged several small sheds.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Three outbuildings destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Large tree limbs were knocked down by strong winds.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds damaged the roof of a building and downed several large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Several utility poles were snapped in half.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Three buildings destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Many trees and power poles downed. Windows blown out of a house. A few trees fell on cars causing severe damage.
- Damaging Winds in Kansas, May 15, 1998Severe thunderstorm winds gusted to 65 MPH at Arrington. Strong winds from the same severe thunderstorm damaged the roof of a building in Muscotah.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Tree and roof damage.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Barn damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Damage to shed roof.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Playground equipment destroyed at park.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Several silos knocked over.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Semi truck blown over.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Tree limbs downed.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Tree blown down.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Trees blown down.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Semi truck blown over. Silo blown down. Tree damage. Hog building destroyed. Machine shed destroyed.
- Damaging Winds in Missouri, May 15, 1998Severe thunderstorm winds downed large trees in Forest City.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Large tree limbs downed.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998Strong winds downed power lines.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Large tree uprooted.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Sheds blown over.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Garage destroyed. Machine shed destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Buildings destroyed. Large trees fell on playground equipment causing severe damage.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Building damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Barn along Highway 2 destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Two hangers severely damaged. Airplane damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Barn roof blown off and hit a car. Many power poles downed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Barn destroyed. Pole shed damaged. Car damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998High tension power lines downed. A tree fell onto a home in Elmwood causing damage.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Several buildings and chimneys of homes damaged.
- Flash Flood in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Heavy rain from thunderstorms generated significant street flooding in the southeast part of the city of Lincoln. Water rose to car headlights in low lying areas.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Semi truck overturned. 7000 square foot pole barn destroyed west of Syracuse. Hay sheds flattened. Most damage confined to an area between Douglas/Syracuse/and Unadilla.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Wood privacy fences damaged. Glass doors shattered. Roof of a car wash blown down.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Pole barn destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Tree damage.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Significant damage to roof at elementary school. Large tree branches downed in Benson area. Large trees downed in Memorial Park. Other trees downed near 52nd and Western Ave.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Significant tree damage and widespread power outages.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 15, 1998Warm and very humid air streamed north into Iowa during the afternoon of the 14th into the early morning hours of the 15th. An unseasonably strong upper level jet stream speed maximum was crossing the Rockies during the night with speeds in excess of 100 MPH.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Home severely damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Grain bin moved. Tree damaged. Metal roofing torn off shed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 199844 empty rail cars were blown from their tracks.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998School had windows blown out. Outbuildings damaged. Trees downed
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Window broken out of office furniture store near downtown. Severe damage occurred to merchandise near the window.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Sheet metal stripped off the roof of the county law enforcement center.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 199850 gallon drums blown over.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 199824 Semi trucks and other high profile vehicles were blown over on Interstate 80.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Trees downed/uprooted and widespread power outages.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Trees downed
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Barns and sheds destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Roofs blown off homes
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Two sheds destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Cement shed, barn, and machine shed destroyed. Another machine shed was also damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Large confinement building destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Two grain bins destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Two walls at the landfill destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Storage building destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Machine shed destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Machine shed destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Shed destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Machine shed destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Shed and hog house destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Chicken house roof and two shop doors destroyed.
- Damaging Wind in Kansas, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew over a camper and overturned a semi trailer.
- Damaging Wind in South Dakota, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew over a semi trailer.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees in Clay County.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines and tree limbs.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew tree limbs down.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds flipped a semi trailer on its side.
- Tornado in Iowa, May 15, 1998A tornado blew down trees and damaged a house.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Lightning Strike in South Dakota, May 15, 1998Lightning started a house fire.
- Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Midday thunderstorms spawned a tornado south of York damaging a farmstead significantly. The tornado set down two miles north of Fairmont and was on the ground for seven miles before lifting just east of McCool Junction.
- Tornadoes and Flood in Iowa, May 15, 1998As the system mentioned above continued to evolve, a widespread outbreak of severe weather took place over Iowa. Strong upper level dynamics moved over the state over the top of an unstable air mass.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Damage to trees and power lines
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Large trees downed. One tree fell on a pickup truck.
- Lightning Strike in Iowa, May 15, 1998Lightning started a house fire.
- Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 15, 1998Center pivot systems toppled and damaged.
- Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 199820 to 40 homes damaged. Estimated windspeed. Damage estimate for entire county.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Lightning Strike in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Lightning killed two horses and injured several other horses.
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998Grain bin destroyed
- Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Tornado in Iowa, May 15, 1998A tornado touch down briefly but no damage was reported.
- Tornado in Iowa, May 15, 1998A tornado touched down briefly but no damage was reported.
- Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998A tornado developed two miles Southwest of Washington Iowa and produced a 30 mile long continuous path of damage and debris as it moved to the Northeast at nearly 30 mph. The tornado weakened and lifted before reaching I-80 near West Branch Iowa shortly before 6pm.
- Tornado and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 15, 199860 to 70 mph wind gusts downed power lines and trees. A tornado touched down near Eyota and moved northward along Highway 42, damaging several farms, before lifting near Elgin.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 15, 1998Winds of 60 to 65 mph downed trees, power lines and blew roofs off of a couple buildings.
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 15, 1998
- Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, May 15, 199860 to 70 mph winds downed trees and power lines. Small tornadoes touched down briefly near Mondovi and West Salem. The one near West Salem sheared off the tops of trees and destroyed a barn. A woman in the barn at the time was injured slightly.
- Tornadoes and Hail in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Tornado touched down in northern Buffalo County, and continued on ground for 9 miles into eastern Pepin County. Two homes were destroyed in Pepin County. House collapse injured 6 family members. Trailer home also damaged.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Many trees were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Power lines were blown down in Shell Lake and nearby Spooner. The Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Strong thunderstorm winds took the roof off a home and severely damaged a store and several vehicles. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees were blown down on trailer homes. Power lines were also blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998A barn was destroyed. The wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down hundreds of large trees. Falling trees damaged many homes and other structures. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Power lines were blown down. The wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Strong thunderstorm winds tore the roof off the county garage. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998The roof was torn off the fire hall, and the adjoining town garage was severely damaged. The wind speed is estimated.
- Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Hail reports over a 17 minute period ranged from nickel size to larger than baseballs. The large, jagged hailstones caused considerable damage to structures and vehicles.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Strong thunderstorm winds caused much property damage in Maple and brought down many 4-6 inch diameter trees in both Maple and Lake Nebagamon, 6 miles to the south. The wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Illinois, May 15, 1998A large tree was blown down across a road in Rushville. No injuries were reported.
- Tornado and Damaging Winds in Illinois, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds knocked down tree limbs and power lines across Western Henry county,
- Damaging Wind in Illinois, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down over a dozen trees between Hermon and Williamsfield. One tree fell onto a house causing minor damage and two other homes sustained shingle damage. Also, numerous large tree limbs were blown down.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Large trees were blown down. The wind speed is estimated.
- Tornado and Hail in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998After the F2 tornado tore through Lafayette county a series of severe thunderstorms pummeled southcentral and southeast Wisconsin with numerous reports of tree limb damage and trees downed, which in turn downed a few power lines.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees greater than nine inches in diameter were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Late evening thunderstorms produced scattered wind damage across part of northern and central Wisconsin on May 15. The high winds caused a partially build storage shed in Kaukauna (Outagamie co.) to collapse.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Many large trees were blown down, some onto vehicles and buildings. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Many large trees were blown down, some damaging houses and taking down power lines. Four sailboats were tipped over in their cradles and damaged. The wind speed is estimated.
- Tornado in Illinois, May 15, 1998A tornado touched down one mile southwest of Bryant. It blew down 4 large trees, one of which fell onto a house causing minor damage. A barn sustained minor damage, a shed was destroyed, and a swingset was thrown 150 feet.
- Damaging Wind in Illinois, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down 4 large trees 3.5 miles southwest of Little America. Also, several power lines and power poles, as well as, large tree limbs were blown down. Two miles west of Little America, a barn was blown off of its foundation.
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Winds to 60 mph blew down many large trees.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds to 60 mph blew down many trees.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998A tree was blown down, blocking a road. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Large trees were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Hail in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, May 15, 1998Many trees were blown down. The wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Wind in Illinois, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees, broke one off about 4 feet above the ground, and blew down numerous large tree limbs in the Rock Island State Trail area one mile northwest of Alta. No injuries were reported.
- Damaging Wind in Illinois, May 15, 1998Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees. No injuries were reported.
- Damaging Wind in Minnesota, May 15, 1998Trees and power lines were blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Damaging Winds in Michigan, May 15, 1998Large branches downed
- Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 15 to 18, 19982 horses killed by falling tree hit which was hit by lightning.
- Hail in Idaho, May 16, 1998A severe thunderstorm produced hail ranging in size from 3/4 inch to 7/8 inch from Buhl in Twin Falls County to Gooding in Gooding County.
- Damaging Wind in Utah, May 16, 1998A microburst wind gust to 58 mph (50kts) was recorded at the Aragonite RAWS on the west desert.
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Virginia, May 16, 1998Severe thunderstorms during the evening hours on the 16th produced hail up to baseball size, damaging winds, and damaging lightning.Thunderstorm winds knocked trees down on route 60 about 1 miles east of Amherst.Hail up to baseball size stripped leaves off of trees four miles…
- Damaging Wind in Pennsylvania, May 16, 1998A tree was blown down in Kane, and pea size hail was reported south of Bradford.
- Tornado in California, May 16, 1998
- Lightning Strike in West Virginia, May 16, 1998Two houses were hit with lightning in Kingwood, busting out windows and water lines.
- Hail in West Virginia, May 16, 1998
- Damaging Wind in Idaho, May 16, 1998A spotter measured a wind gust to 60 mph (52kts) from a severe thunderstorm.
- Hail in Maryland, May 16, 1998One-half inch to one-inch diameter hail was reported in Deep Creek Lake State Park.
- Hail and Damaging Wind in North Carolina, May 16, 1998Severe thunderstorms during the evening hours on the 16th produced hail up to golf ball size and damaging winds.Thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and broke off tree limbs in Mount Airy.Hail up to the size of golf balls broke out windows and damaged hundreds of vehicles in…
More
Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 1998Tornadoes in 1998
Sources
NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.