The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 remains the deadliest tornado in United States history, killing 695 people across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
Key Facts
- Total deaths
- 695 people
- Total injured
- 2,027 people
- States affected
- Missouri, Illinois, Indiana
- Estimated intensity
- F5 (Fujita scale equivalent)
- Duration on ground
- Over 3 hours
- Murphysboro deaths
- 234 people
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On March 18, 1925, a large severe weather outbreak struck the central United States. Within this system, an exceptionally powerful tornado formed in Shannon County, Missouri, likely equivalent to an F5 on the Fujita scale. The atmospheric conditions allowed the storm to sustain itself at an unusually high forward speed, estimated at 62 mph near Murphysboro, Illinois.
The tornado cut a path through Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Southern Indiana over the course of more than three hours. It devastated numerous towns, including Annapolis, Murphysboro, West Frankfort, and Princeton, while completely destroying Griffin, Indiana. Deep ground scouring, structural obliteration, and debris carried nearly 50 miles characterized the storm's extreme intensity throughout its track.
The tornado killed 695 people and injured 2,027, making it the deadliest tornado in recorded United States history and the second-deadliest worldwide. The death toll in Illinois alone exceeded the combined totals of the next four deadliest U.S. tornadoes. Entire communities were destroyed, and the event highlighted the catastrophic potential of long-track, high-speed tornadoes.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 695 (storm)