10 deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history
1.) The Tri State Tornado Missouri, Illinois and Indiana - March 18, 1925 - Death Toll: 625 The worst tornado in US history began in southeastern Missouri, crossed through southern Illinois, and then turned into southwestern Indiana. The 625 deaths more than doubled the second deadliest tornado in US history. More than 2,000 were injured. Property damage was assessed at $16.5 million, which would be $1.7 billion in today’s dollars. The tornado left a 219 mile track, which is the longest ever recorded. It rated an F5 on the Fujita scale. 2.) The Great Natchez Tornado Natchez, Mississippi - May 7, 1840 - Death Toll: 317 Forming southwest of Natchez, the tornado moved north along the Mississippi River. When it struck Natchez, it destroyed dozens of buildings, killing at least 48. Another 269 were killed as the tornado destroyed numerous flatboats on the river. The actual number of casualties, however, may have been much higher, because in pre-Civil War Mississippi, slave deaths would not necessarily have been recorded. 3.) The St. Louis - East St. Louis Tornado St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois - May 27, 1896 - Death Toll: 255 One of the few tornados to strike a major city, this tornado touched down in St. Louis, leaving a mile-wide path of destruction through homes and commercial buildings. It then crossed the Mississippi River and blew through East. St. Louis, Illinois. The official death toll is 255, but some have estimated that the death toll may be as high as 400, since it is impossible to know how many died in boats on the Mississippi River. When adjusted for inflation, the tornado would be the costliest in US history, with an estimated price tag of $2.9 billion. 4.) The Tupelo Tornado Tupelo, Mississippi - April 5, 1936 - Death Toll: 233 Part of a storm system that also spawned the deadly Gainsville tornado, the Tupelo storm cut its way through the residential areas of Tupelo, Mississippi. One noted survivor was one-year-old Elvis Presley. 5.) The Gainsville Tornado Gainesville, Georgia - April 6, 1936 - Death Toll: 203 Following the Tupelo storm of the previous night (see number 4 above), the Gainsville Tornado destroyed several major buildings in Gainsville, Georgia, including 70 at the Cooper Pants Factory. 6.) Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornadoes Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas - April 9, 1947 - Death Toll: 181 This tornado—or perhaps series of tornados—is named after the three towns that suffered the greatest percentage of casualties. Seventeen were killed in Glazier, Kansas, 51 in Higgins Texas, and 107 in Woodward, Oklahoma. The tornado is thoguht to have been as much as two miles wide. More than 100 city blocks were destroyed in Woodward. In addition the the 181 killed, another 970 were injured. 7. Amite-Pine-Purvis Tornadoes Louisiana, Mississippi - April 24, 1908 - Death Toll: 143 Leaving only seven houses intact in Purvis, Mississippi, the storm killed 143 and injured 770. 8. New Richmond Tornado Wisconsin - June 12, 1899 - Death Toll: 117 Strong enough to blow a 3,000 pound safe a block away, the storm began as a waterspout on lake St. Croix. 9. Flint Tornado Michigan - June 8, 1953 - Death Toll: 115 Beginning just north of Flushing, this tornado destroyed the north side of Flint before breakign up near Lapeer. It travelled 46 miles in an hour and a half. The same storm system spawned a tornado in Worcester, Massachusetts a day later. 10. Waco Tornado Texas - May 11, 1953 - Death Toll: 114 The deadliest twister to ever hit Texas, the Waco storm damaged 600 businesses, 850 homes and 2,000 cars. |
