March 18, 1925 Tri-State Tornado

Today marks the 87th anniversary of the Tri-State tornado which blasted across parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.  This was an exceptional tornado in many ways.  A list of some of the records held by this tornado is provided below.


-at least 695 fatalities, the most by a single tornado in the United States

-219 to 234 mile path length

-3 1/2 hours on the ground

-613 fatalities in Illinois, the most on record for a single state

-234 fatalities in Murphysboro, Illinois, the most on record for a single town

-69 deaths in schools, including 33 deaths at one Illinois school


The most infamous tornado in U.S. history was born in a field in southern Missouri in the early afternoon on March 18, 1925.  The tornado moved rapidly northeastward, killing 11 in Missouri before moving into Illinois.  The tornado took its first lives in Illinois at Gorham, where 34 were killed.  Over the course of just 40 minutes, 541 people died and more than 1,500 were injured.  After wreaking terrible havoc in Illinois, the tornado crossed the Wabash River in northwest Posey county Indiana and caused heavy damage in Griffin, where 25 died.  It then proceeded northeastward through rural farmland between Griffin and Princeton, destroying dozens of farms.  The tornado struck a direct hit on Princeton, killing at least 45.  The tornado finally dissipated southwest of Petersburg.

In Indiana, at least 71 people were killed, making it the deadliest tornado in state history.  The death toll at Princeton is among the highest for a single Indiana town, only rivaled by the 1917 New Albany tornado (more on that tornado in an upcoming post).

In all, at least 695 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured.  Approximately 15,000 homes were destroyed with total damage estimated at over $16 million.  When adjusted to modern day values, this tornado is among the costliest of all-time.

Although the Tri-State tornado was by far the most significant event of the day, it was not the only tornado to occur in Indiana.  A tornado touched down in Harrison county near Mauckport and passed near Laconia and Elizabeth, killing 4.  The tornado then proceeded into Kentucky.


Source:

Thomas P. Grazulis, Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991 (Environmental Films, 1993).