What Is the #1 Deadliest Tornado in US History?

When people think of deadly tornadoes, names like Joplin or Tuscaloosa often come to mind. But the deadliest tornado in American history struck nearly a century ago, and its scale was so staggering that nothing since has come close to matching it.

The 1925 Tri-State Tornado: A Storm Unlike Any Other

On March 18, 1925, a tornado carved a path of destruction through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana that remains unmatched in U.S. history. It killed 695 people, injured more than 2,000, and destroyed over 15,000 homes. It is known as the Tri-State Tornado — and it holds not one but several all-time records.

The storm traveled 219 miles on the ground, making it the longest tornado track ever recorded in world history. Most tornadoes last only a few minutes. The Tri-State Tornado stayed on the ground for approximately three and a half hours, plowing through 19 communities across three states at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour. It was so fast that many residents had almost no time to react before it was upon them.