Introduction
On March 18, 1925, the United States witnessed the deadliest tornado in its history—the Tri-State Tornado. A single, devastating twister tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, leaving 695 dead, thousands injured, and entire towns reduced to rubble.
Now, 100 years later, we reflect on this unprecedented disaster, examining its meteorological origins, path of destruction, and long-term impact. Unlike modern tornadoes, which are tracked with advanced radar and warning systems, this one struck without warning—a tragic consequence of the era’s lack of tornado forecasting.
This is the story of the Tri-State Tornado, a storm so powerful and anomalous that it remains unmatched in American history.
The Setting: 1925 America and Early Tornado Forecasting
The 1920s were a time of economic growth and social change in America. World War I had ended a decade earlier, and the country was thriving. However, severe weather forecasting was still in its infancy.
The Ban on Tornado Forecasting
By the late 1800s, the U.S. Army Signal Corps had begun studying tornado patterns. Sergeant John P. Finley developed 15 rules for early tornado forecasting, but his work was soon halted.
In 1882, the U.S. government banned the use of the word “tornado” in public weather forecasts. The fear was that mentioning tornadoes would cause panic, so meteorologists were prohibited from discussing them openly.
As a result, in 1925, Americans had no tornado warnings, no weather radar, and no way to prepare. The people in the path of the Tri-State Tornado were completely unaware of what was coming.
The Meteorological Setup: How the Tri-State Tornado Formed
A meteorological reanalysis conducted in 2013 sheds light on the atmospheric conditions that led to this historic tornado.
The Ingredients for Disaster
On March 13, 1925, a low-pressure system developed in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and began moving toward the U.S. Over the next few days, it traveled eastward, reaching Montana and Oklahoma.
By March 18, this storm system combined with a warm, moist air mass from the Gulf of Mexico (America), creating ideal conditions for a severe tornado outbreak. However, because forecasting technology was limited, no warnings were issued.
That morning, ominous storms were already forming over Kansas and Missouri—a silent warning of the catastrophe to come.
The Tri-State Tornado’s Path of Destruction
At 12:40 PM, the Tri-State Tornado touched down in Ellington, Missouri. What followed was an unthinkable 3.5-hour-long path of death and destruction.
Missouri: The Tornado Gains Strength
The storm moved at a staggering 62-73 mph, far faster than a typical tornado. By 1:01 PM, it had already claimed its first victim—a farmer caught off guard near Ellington.
The tornado grew in size and intensity, striking the towns of Ladena, Annapolis, and Bollinger County, destroying schools, homes, and businesses. By the time it left Missouri, 13 people were dead, and entire communities had been wiped out.
Illinois: Unmatched Destruction
At 2:26 PM, the tornado crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois, where it would cause the greatest destruction.
Gorham, Illinois
The town of Gorham was completely obliterated within minutes.
- The rail yard was destroyed, with train cars thrown like toys.
- A school building collapsed, killing several children.
- Survivors described green-black clouds and an eerie silence before impact.
Murfreesboro, Illinois: The Worst Hit
By 2:30 PM, the tornado reached Murfreesboro, a railroad town of 12,000-15,000 people.
- The rail yard was devastated, crushing 35 workers.
- Two schools collapsed, killing 26 children.
- The Miller family—two parents and four children—were all killed in their home.
- 234 people perished in Murfreesboro alone, setting a record for most tornado fatalities in a single community.
To make matters worse, after the tornado had passed, a coal-burning stove tipped over, igniting a fire. 18 more people died in the flames.
DeSoto, Illinois
The tornado obliterated downtown DeSoto and destroyed its school, where 33 children were killed.
- 69 total deaths occurred in DeSoto.
- Survivors recalled a massive, nearly invisible funnel approaching.
West Frankfort and Parish, Illinois
The tornado then moved through West Frankfort, a coal mining town.
- The Orient Mine was spared, but miners’ families in town suffered greatly.
- 127 people died, most of them women and children.
- In Parish, Illinois, nearly every structure was destroyed, and 22 lives were lost.
By the time the tornado left Illinois, 541 people were dead.
Indiana: The Final Blow
At 4:15 PM, the tornado crossed into Indiana, striking Griffin and Princeton.
- Homes, businesses, and schools were leveled.
- In Griffin, 25 people died, and 250 were injured.
- Princeton saw 45 deaths before the tornado finally dissipated at 4:30 PM.
Aftermath: A Nation in Shock
The Tri-State Tornado had traveled 219 miles, making it the longest-tracked tornado in U.S. history. It caused $16.5 million in damage ($2.5 billion today) and left thousands homeless.
Mass Burials and Mourning
- 695 official deaths, though some estimates suggest over 700.
- In many towns, mass funerals were held, with five-minute services for each victim.
- Some cemeteries were completely destroyed, forcing communities to rebuild burial grounds.
Long-Term Economic Impact
- Some towns, like Parish, Illinois, never recovered and became ghost towns.
- Murfreesboro took 20 years to regain economic stability.
- Many businesses chose not to rebuild, leaving families without income.
Legacy: The Tri-State Tornado’s Impact on Meteorology
The Tri-State Tornado did not immediately change tornado forecasting. However, over time:
- 1948: Meteorologists successfully predicted a tornado for the first time.
- 1950: The ban on the word “tornado” was lifted.
- 1971: Dr. Ted Fujita retroactively rated the Tri-State Tornado an F5.
- Today: The tornado remains the deadliest and longest-tracked in U.S. history.
Final Thoughts: Could It Happen Again?
Even 100 years later, the Tri-State Tornado stands alone in American history. Was it a one-time freak event, or could such a tornado happen again?
While advancements in forecasting and warning systems have improved survival rates, a storm of this scale remains a terrifying possibility.
Today, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary, we remember the lives lost, the towns forever changed, and the lessons learned from America’s most infamous tornado.
