Great Tri-State Tornado of 1925

by: Broncos10

At 1:01pm on March 18th 1925, the Great Tri-State tornado started out from the Ozarks in southeastern Missouri, headed eastward through southern Illinois and lifted in southwestern Indiana after a duration of three and a half hours. The tornado traveled at an average speed of 62mph which is approximately double the speed of an average tornado. The wind speeds of the funnel were 261 to 318 mph.

The tornado was rated as a F5 on the Fujita Scale and the criteria for this rating is:

• Wind speeds 261 to 318 miles per hour. (416-510 km/h)
• Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and swept away
• Automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 109 yards (100 meters)
• Bark ripped off of trees
• Incredible phenomena will occur

In total, there were 652 deaths and over 2000 people injured. The number of deaths was double the number in the 2nd worst tornado in US history. The distance of 219 miles is the longest recorded in history. It destroyed 15,000 homes, and damaged more than 164 square miles (almost 50 times more than the average tornado). Property damage was $16.5 million (at that time) and would be almost $2 billion at today’s prices.

Damage Caused by the Great Tri-State Tornado

• Missouri (where the tornado touched down)
• Ellington: 1 person killed.
• Annapolis and Leadanna: 2 people killed and 75 injured. Losses in both towns were around $500,000.
• Altenburg: 1 child killed while attending school.
• Bollinger County: 32 children were injured in two schools
  

New Historical Storms Section

I have just made this new section dedicated to past Historical Storms. All members are encouraged to write about their favorite past storms. How you do this is, first of all become a member. In the Member's profile, each profile has a blog section. Write about you favorite past storm in your blog. Post pictures in there as well. The best post will be added to the Historical Storms section on the site. Hope you all enjoy this new feature. Be sure to submit you favorite storms before someone else does. 

 Winsor Colorado Tornado

by: C.A.S.T. 159

Winsor Colorado is almost finished rebuilding from the deadly tornado that struck one year ago. Under the dark clouds of an approaching thunderstorm Windor resedents gathered in Chimney Park to retire the flag that was flying over the town the day the tornado struck, and to recognize some of the unsung heros of that day. Windsor Mayor John Vasquez,and Weld County Commisioner Dave Long both gave speaches commending Windsors ability to bounce back from such a desaster in such a short time and a letter was read from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. also commending the town of Windsor on its remarkeble bounce back from the storm and its ability to come together so fast to begin its rebuilding. The town of Windsor has comeback strong with a strong sence of community from this storm and will continue to grow from this rare tornado that struck one year ago.