A devastating tornado tore through the Midwest on March 18, 1925, becoming one of the deadliest in US history, claiming 695 lives and leaving a trail of destruction across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
On March 18, 1925, a massive storm tore through the Midwest, becoming one of the deadliest tornadoes in United States history. The Tri-State Tornado, as it came to be known, traveled over 200 miles across three states — Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana — causing complete devastation in its path.
On March 18, 1925, a devastating tornado swept through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people.
The Tri-State Tornado traveled 219 miles, lasting for approximately 3.5 hours.
It was the deadliest single tornado in US history and one of the most destructive natural disasters of its time.
The tornado's path of destruction spanned over 20 counties, with entire towns being leveled.
The disaster led to significant changes in tornado forecasting and warning systems.
The storm began in south central Missouri in the warm sector of a powerful low-pressure system. Cold air advection along a cold front collided with warmer, moist air, creating conditions ideal for severe thunderstorms. According to historical meteorological data, the triple point of the low’s track provided the perfect setup for a continuous tornado.
The average forward speed of the tornado was about 59 mph (95 km/h), and it remained on the ground for over 3.5 hours. The tornado traveled approximately 219 miles (352 km), an unprecedented path length. However, there is some uncertainty over whether the damage from the Tri-State Tornado was caused by one tornado or a tornado family.
The Tri-State Tornado, which occurred on March 18, 1925, was one of the deadliest tornadoes in United States history.
The EF5 tornado caused catastrophic damage across parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
The storm's destruction spanned over 219 miles, affecting several counties and killing 695 people.
Property damage was estimated at $16.5 million, equivalent to approximately $270 million today.
The Tri-State Tornado remains the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, with its devastating impact still remembered today.
The tornado touched down in Shannon County, Missouri, and ravaged the city of Annapolis before moving through Bollinger County into southern Illinois. It passed through several communities as it continued its destructive rampage, finally crossing the Wabash river into southwest Indiana. The destruction caused was extreme, with some entire towns completely demolished.
The Tri-State Tornado occurred on March 18, 1925, and is still the deadliest tornado in US history.
The tornado traveled 219 miles through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life.
It reached speeds of up to 300 mph and was classified as an EF5 tornado.
The disaster resulted in 695 fatalities and over 2,000 injuries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
The town of Murphysboro suffered one of the highest death tolls, while two schools (Logan School and De Soto School) were destroyed during school hours. Huge portions of Murphysboro — and local landmarks such as its First Baptist Church — were destroyed. The tornado continued into southwestern Indiana, passing through towns like Griffin and Princeton.
The 1925 Tri-State Tornado caused widespread destruction, with a death toll of 695 people and over 2,000 injured. “The lack of tornado forecasting at the time contributed to the high number of casualties.” In 1925, the National Weather Service did not issue tornado warnings, leaving communities unprepared.
The combination of the tornado’s path, speed, and timing — during school and work hours — increased casualties. Many of the injured had to be transported to distant hospitals, and dozens died later of their injuries. The storm also highlighted the need for better storm forecasting and public awareness, leading to improvements in tornado prediction and response systems.
The Great Tri-State Tornado remains the benchmark for significant tornadoes, holding records for the longest continuous tornado path and the highest death toll in the U.S. Historical materials from the Missouri Digital Archives and Jackson County Historical Society paint a vivid picture of the human settlement erased in minutes.
Today, we understand more about tornado formation, thanks in part to lessons learned from the Tri-State event. The NWS Paducah office and other regional centers use this storm as a case study for training and preparedness.
- howstuffworks.com | The Tri State Tornado of 1925 Traveled Over 200 Miles
