The Tri-State Tornado was a massive F5 tornado that struck Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925. It was the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, killing 695 people and injuring over 2,000. The tornado traveled over 200 miles (322 km) and was up to 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide.
The Tri-State Tornado began near Ellington, Missouri, at around 1:00 p.m. CST. It quickly gained strength and reached its peak intensity as it crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois. The tornado then tore through the towns of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, and Parrish, Illinois, before crossing into Indiana and dissipating near Princeton.
The Tri-State Tornado caused widespread devastation. Entire towns were destroyed, and thousands of people were left homeless. The tornado also caused significant damage to crops and livestock. The total cost of the damage was estimated to be over $1 billion (USD).
The Tri-State Tornado was a reminder of the destructive power of nature. It also led to improvements in tornado forecasting and warning systems. As a result, the U.S. is now better able to prepare for and respond to tornadoes.