Tri-State Tornado, 1925

Tri-State Tornado, 1925

The Great Tri-State Tornado of Wednesday, March 18, 1925, was the deadliest tornado in US history. With 695 fatalities, the tornado killed more than twice as many as the second deadliest, the 1840 Great Natchez Tornado. The continuous 219 mile track left by the tornado was the longest ever recorded in the world: the tornado crossed from southeastern Missouri, through southern Illinois, then into southwestern Indiana. Although not officially rated by NOAA, it is recognized by most experts as an F5 tornado, the maximal damage rating issued on the Fujita scale. There has been uncertainty as to whether the event was one continuous tornado or a tornado family. Ongoing new research, however, finds no break in the path and also that the tornado touchdown may have occurred approximately 15 miles farther west than previously thought, bringing the total path length to around 234 miles.

Album / Science Source / New York Public Library

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5070 x 2271 px | 32.9 MB

42.9 x 19.2 cm | 16.9 x 7.6 in (300 dpi)