Listed below are confirmed killer tornadoes listed by date in Southern Illinois, United States. Modern record keeping in the region began in the 1880s, although there were undoubtedly many other deaths that have been lost to history. It is important to note that before the 1950s tornadoes were not officially ranked. The current rankings are an estimation due to the accounts of witnesses.
695 deaths overall Deadliest single tornado in US history.Most extreme tornado in recorded history.
Holds the record longest path length (219 miles, 352 km), longest duration (about 3.5 hours), and fastest forward speed for a significant tornado (73 mph, 117 km/h).
Unlike other earlier tornadoes on this list, this tornado is now believed to be one single tornado, not a tornado family
See section on this tornado
10 deaths 52 businesses and 300 homes were destroyed, 324 homes were damaged, and over 200 cars destroyed. Over 200 were injured and 1,000 left homeless. See section on this tornado
1 death Vehicles were picked up and deposited in houses. Well-constructed houses lost roofs and some walls. Weaker structures, including a tavern near Sims, were demolished.
1 death A train was blown off the tracks. Several wood houses were demolished, and seven double-wide trailers were destroyed. Approximately 75 homes were damaged. A recreational vehicle was tossed across Lake Dongola and impaled into the ground.
2 deaths Several homes were destroyed while several others sustained minor to severe damage while other structures including frame homes (including being swept away from its foundation), mobile homes, two businesses, outbuildings and a campground were destroyed. A Conservation Area sustained severe damage to its facilities. Thirteen people were also injured. See section on this tornado
8 deaths 110 people were injured, two neighborhoods were completely flattened, and a shopping mall and church were destroyed in Harrisburg. In Harrisburg over 200 homes and about 25 businesses were destroyed or damaged heavily. At least 10 homes and other buildings were leveled completely and several structures were swept from their foundations. See section on this tornado
3 deaths This tornado completely destroyed dozens of mobile homes, many of which were blown over 100 feet (30 m). Also in Brookport, a frail site-built home was leveled, and dozens of homes, garages, storage buildings, and businesses sustained structural damage. Hundreds of trees were downed and cars were tossed as well. See section on this tornado
The Tri-State Tornado: The Story of America's Greatest Tornado Disaster, by Peter S. Felknor. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1992. 131 pages. ISBN0-8138-0623-2.
The Forgotten Storm: The Great Tri-state Tornado of 1925, by Wallace E. Akin. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, 2002. 173 pages. ISBN1-58574-607-X.
