MURPHYSBORO, Ill. – Tuesday marks the 100th anniversary of the Tri-State tornado, the deadliest tornadic event in United States history. On March 18, 1925, hundreds of people died as a massive tornado raced across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana for several hours. Unlike most tornado outbreaks, this was a single, long-tracked twister, ripping primarily through southern Missouri and Illinois. Historians refer to this catastrophe as the Tri-State tornado.
A newspaper headline from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch initially read: “TORNADO DEATH LIST 800 OR MORE.” Eventually, officials confirmed the tragic toll at 695 deaths, which remains a U.S. record for one single tornado. The tornado formed near Ellington, Missouri, and finally dissipated just southwest of Petersburg, Indiana, creating devastating havoc along its path.
The path of this tornado covered roughly 220 miles, tracking at top speeds of 73 miles per hour and lasting nearly three and a half hours. The worst of the destruction occurred just south of the St. Louis metro. The village of Biehle, Missouri, was completely eradicated, and approximately 230 individuals lost their lives due to the tornado's impacts in Murphysboro, Illinois. Notably, the disaster led to around 2,000 injuries and about 15,000 homes being destroyed.
The Tri-State tornado struck without any warning, exposing the limitations of storm forecasting systems of the time, which simply did not exist. Such disasters were exacerbated by atmospheric conditions as low-pressure systems formed near the Missouri-Arkansas border and intensified as they moved northeast. According to the Associated Press, by modern classifications this tornado would be framed as an EF5, defined by its mile-wide funnel and wind speeds exceeding 260 mph.
On the same date, March 18, 2025, remnants of the disaster continue to echo through the city of Murphysboro. From the top floor of Logan School, now-11-year-old Othella Silvey recalls how, after the tornado ripped through, she could not identify her home just two blocks away due to the devastation. “She couldn’t tell which direction was home,” reflected Othella’s daughter, 81-year-old Sylvia Carvell. The Tri-State Tornado’s ferocity was unparalleled, touching down in southeastern Missouri and obliterated everything within its 219-mile path over nearly four hours as it swept through southern Illinois and continued on to Indiana.
Beside the confirmed 695 fatalities, more than 2,000 people sustained injuries, not accounting for casualties from at least seven other tornadoes the storm spawned, which caused destruction through Kentucky and as far down as Alabama. Under modern standards, this tornado is classified as F5, with its mile-wide funnel boasting wind speeds estimated to be greater than 260 mph. Statistical records indicate the storm ravaged 40% of Murphysboro, killing 234 residents alone.
MURPHYSBORO also suffered significant trauma, as the Mobile & Ohio Railroad yards, which employed close to 1,100 workers, were demolished. Compounding the tragedy, the DeSoto School was struck, leading to the loss of 38 young lives and plunging the town, just 97 miles southeast of St. Louis, deep within despair.
Marking the centennial of this calamity, the city is engaged in commemorations not only to mourn those lost but to also highlight community resilience. Mary Riseling, coordinator of the remembrance events, emphasized the severity of the storm depicted through artifacts like the wooden board, which remains embedded deep within the trunk of maple trees on the grounds of Logan School. “To have one item witness the force of those winds, it tells its own story,” she stated.
Winds estimated over 200 mph propelled destruction to unimaginable levels, unleashing havoc across the Midwest. Christine Wielgos, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, explained how the atmospheric composition created this perfect storm: A surface low situated over the Arkansas-Missouri border had combined with another warm front, generating conditions ripe for intense tornadoes.
The terror of this event was intensified by the glaring absence of early warning systems. “All they had was they looked off to the West and went, ‘Looking dark out there,’” Wielgos recounted. Residents had virtually no time to scramble to safety before the storm struck.
Many towns were completely devastated, with communities like Annapolis, Missouri, Gorham, Illinois, and Griffith, Indiana, virtually obliterated. The haunting aftermath spawned local songs such as “After the Tornado Is Over,” which echoed the pain of loss and displacement: “I once had a ‘Home Sweet Home’ here,” it poignantly implores.
Within Murphysboro, makeshift shelter arrangements were hastily organized, as Pullman railcars began arriving to house visiting medical professionals and aid workers. Meanwhile, the Red Cross supplied tents for the homeless, trying to alleviate some of the chaos. Notably, Sylvia Carvell shared how, after being informed about their supposed family deaths, Othella and her younger sister Helen were separated and relocated to Carbondale as orphans. Fortunately, it was their grandparents who perished, allowing the sisters to reunite soon thereafter.
Despite immense destruction, the city began to heal, displaying unwavering strength and determination. The Silvey family, for example, built their new home to replicate the one lost. Initially, they constructed a chicken coop for shelter, which not only served as temporary housing but also provided food for months until they could complete their new residence.
The legacy of resilience permeates modern-day Murphysboro. The community’s determination to thrive is reflected through the numerous structures still standing, reminders of the tragic past. Current President of the Jackson County Historical Society, Laura Cates Duncan, highlighted this centennial observance as one not just to honor the deceased but also to celebrate the spirit of perseverance among those who stayed rooted to their hometown. “They could have gone elsewhere, but they wanted to stay here,” Duncan explained.
Even though 100 years have passed since the infamous tri-state tornado, Murphysboro—while bearing the scars of its devastating history—stands proud, driven by the resilience reflected within its community.
