# Deadliest Tornado in History (DD-085)

> The Tri-State Tornado of March 18, 1925, crossed Missouri, Illinois and Indiana and killed 695 people, making it the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Its track was long recorded as 219 miles, the longest on record; a 2013 reanalysis found at least 174 miles was likely one continuous tornado.

- Department: Nature (also History)
- First published: 2023-11-18
- Last updated: 2023-11-18
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/deadliest-tornado-in-history/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **March 18, 1925**: Tri-State Tornado strikes

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=deadliest-tornado-in-history

## Quick facts

- **DD-085-F01**: It struck on March 18, 1925. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Date))_
- **DD-085-F02**: It crossed Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (States))_

## Write-up

The Tri-State Tornado killed 695 people on March 18, 1925. It crossed Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

1. **Date**: It struck on March 18, 1925.
2. **States**: It crossed Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
3. **Deaths**: It killed 695 people.
4. **Record**: It is the deadliest U.S. tornado.
5. **Track**: Its track is listed as 219 miles.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel calls it the deadliest tornado in history; it is the deadliest in U.S. history, while the 1989 Daulatpur–Saturia tornado in Bangladesh killed more people.
- **Note**: A 2013 reanalysis found at least 174 miles of the 219-mile track was likely one tornado.

## Video: Deadliest Tornado in History: The Tri-State Tornado Killed 695 People on March 18, 1925

- Duration: 27.4 s · Published: 2023-11-18
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/CzzldogJmOv.mp4

### Transcript

The Tri-State tornado, which occurred on March 18th, 1925, holds the record as the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. As you know, this massive tornado tore through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Okay, now you're not going to believe this. This tornado traveled approximately 219 miles during its rampage, making it the tornado with the longest recorded path in history. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When did the Tri-State Tornado strike?**  
A: Spring 1925. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Date) · Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado)_

**Q: Which states did it cross?**  
A: Three states. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (States) · Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado)_

**Q: How many died?**  
A: Deadliest in U.S. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Deaths) · Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado)_

**Q: How long was its listed track?**  
A: Longest on record. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Record) · Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado)_

**Q: Where was the deadliest tornado worldwide?**  
A: 1989. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Track) · Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: 1925 Tri-State tornado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1925_Tri-State_tornado)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Deadliest Tornado in History." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-085, last updated Nov 18, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/deadliest-tornado-in-history/