Tri-State tornado outbreak

For the tornado that struck Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee in 2021, see 2021 Tri-State tornado.
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Tri-State tornado outbreak
Black-and-white map showing state boundaries with meteorological features superimposed and indicated by red, silver, and black lines or symbols
Weather conditions and atmospheric phenomena, including severe thunderstorm winds, hail, and tornadoes, observed on March 18, 1925
Meteorological history
FormedMarch 17, 1925
DissipatedMarch 19, 1925
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes≥12
Maximum ratingF5 tornado
Duration7 hours
Highest winds>300 mph (480 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalitiesat least 751, likely far higher; 816 or more.
Injuries2,298
DamageOver $17 million (1925 USD); at least $1.4 billion (1997 USD)
$2.66 billion (2024 USD)[1][nb 1]
Areas affectedMidwestern and southeastern United States

On March 18, 1925, one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in recorded history generated at least twelve significant tornadoes and spanned a large portion of the midwestern and southern United States. In all, at least 751 people were killed and more than 2,298 were injured,[2] making the outbreak the deadliest tornado outbreak, March 18 the deadliest tornado day, and 1925 the deadliest tornado year in U.S. history.[3] The outbreak generated several destructive tornadoes in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on the same day, as well as significant tornadoes in Alabama and Kansas. In addition to confirmed tornadoes, there were undoubtedly others with lesser impacts, the occurrences of which have been lost to history.[4]

The outbreak included the Tri-State tornado, the deadliest disaster in Illinois, the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, and the second-deadliest registered in world history.[5][6][7] The 219-mile-long (352 km) track left by the tornado, as it crossed from southeastern Missouri, through southern Illinois, and then into southwestern Indiana, is also the longest ever recorded.[8] Modern meteorological re-analysis has suggested that the extremely long path length and lifespan reported in historical accounts are perhaps more plausibly attributed to multiple independent tornadoes belonging to a tornado family, rather than a single, continuous tornado.[4] Although not officially rated by NOAA, the Tri-State tornado is recognized by most experts (such as Tom Grazulis[9] and Ted Fujita[10]) as an F5 tornado, the maximum damage rating issued on the Fujita scale.[11][nb 2][nb 3][nb 4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Brooks2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Today in history: The Tri-State Tornado". ICC. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  3. ^ "2011 tornado information". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2012. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  4. ^ a b Maddox et al. 2013.
  5. ^ "The deadliest disaster to ever happen in each state". MSN. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ^ Gibson, Christine (Aug–Sep 2006). "Our 10 Greatest Natural Disasters". American Heritage. 57 (4).
  7. ^ Tri-State Tornado - History, Facts and Information
  8. ^ Johns et al. 2013.
  9. ^ Grazulis 2001b, p. 17.
  10. ^ Fujita 1973, pp. 56–83.
  11. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 796.
  12. ^ Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875–2003) (PDF). 22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  13. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
  14. ^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
  15. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  16. ^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  17. ^ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  18. ^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.
  19. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  20. ^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.


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