March 18, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in the history of the Midwest. It was on this date in 1925 that the Tri-State Tornado struck without warning and devasted communities from southeast Missouri to southwest Indiana. Now 100 years later and this tornado still holds several records.
The tornado claimed 695 lives making it the single deadliest tornado in U.S. history. It also holds the records for the longest duration and distance, lasting some 3 ½ hours and carving a path of destruction 219 miles in length. It was also the fastest moving tornado ever recorded with an average forward speed of 62mph and 73 mph at its fastest along its path between the Illinois towns of Gorham and Murphysboro. Finally, it was the most destructive, destroying 15,000 homes.
Whole towns were virtually wiped from the map. Countless businesses and livelihoods were destroyed and the lives of the survivors of this terrible storm were impacted, in some cases, forever. The tornado first touched down in Reynolds County, Missouri at 1:01 pm and then travelled 85 miles through the state in about 90 minutes, killing 11 people in its wake. Among the most affected communities was Annapolis, Missouri where three people died and 90% of the town was either destroyed or damaged. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River into southern Illinois at 2:25 pm. In the next hour and 35 minutes, the tornado travelled 121 miles through the state and took another 613 lives along its path. The tornado then crossed the Wabash River into southwest Indiana at 4 pm. Before it dissipated, at 4:30 pm, it travelled another 58 miles and claimed the lives of another 71 victims.
in October 2024, the historical society marked this solemn event with a narrated Powerpoint presentation. The presentation told the story of this deadly storm, but also put the storm within its historical context. Weather forecasting and even the knowledge of the weather itself was much different in 1925 than it is today. The program examines that history, explains why there was so little warning along its path and explains the circumstances that came together in deadly unison to make it so deadly and destructive. The program aslo incudes some of the stories of those that were there and looks at the relief and rebuilding efforts after the storm. The program is on the historical society’s YouTube channel and can be accessed directly by clicking on this link.
Additonal resources, suggested reading, and photograhs are available in the links below:
