Latest news with #Tri-StateTornado
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
These were seven of history's most violent tornadoes
Tornadoes are a frightening threat during severe thunderstorms. Thankfully, only a tiny percentage of thunderstorms ever produce a tornado, and most of those twisters are relatively weak and short-lived. Some tornadoes, though, grow into tragic events that exhibit nature's raw power. And it's a hazard that's not just confined to Tornado Alley. Here's a look at seven of the deadliest and most violent tornadoes ever recorded. DON'T MISS: For all the tornadoes that touch down across Canada and the U.S., the world's deadliest twister actually unfolded halfway around the globe. Bangladesh is a flat, low-lying, and densely populated country along the Bay of Bengal in southern Asia. These factors combine to leave the country prone to devastating storms on a regular basis. Violent supercell thunderstorms are common in Bangladesh during the spring months as robust weather systems pass through the region. These storms can spawn intense tornadoes, which are particularly dangerous given the country's dense population. A destructive tornado that struck the Manikganj District on April 26, 1989, reportedly killed as many as 1,300 people—making it the world's deadliest tornado ever recorded. June 30, 1912, was a warm and humid summer day on the Prairies. Unstable air combined with wind shear aloft created severe thunderstorms that flourished over Saskatchewan's flat landscape. Residents of Regina sadly had no warning before a strong tornado swept through the city. The storm claimed the lives of 28 people that day, cementing its infamous distinction as the deadliest tornado in Canadian history. The vast majority of the world's tornadoes touch down in the United States. Unsurprisingly, these twisters used to claim high death tolls before the era of modern technology. MUST SEE: Favourable conditions on March 18, 1925, allowed a supercell to produce a very intense and long-tracked tornado known today as the Tri-State Tornado. This storm, which may have stayed on the ground for as long as 350 km, killed nearly 700 people as it travelled through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Click here to view the video Experts today aren't sure if the Tri-State Tornado really stayed on the ground for that entire 350 km path. It's common for long-lived tornadoes to lift off the ground before touching down again nearby. Western Kentucky holds the dubious distinction of witnessing the longest confirmed tornado path ever observed. A powerful storm on Dec. 10, 2021, spawned a twister that remained on the ground for 266.7 km (165.7 mi.). This high-end EF-4 storm devastated the town of Mayfield. Oklahomans live in the heart of Tornado Alley. Accustomed to rambunctious storms every spring, the twisters that strike the Sooner State are serious business. RELATED: The strongest tornado ever measured occurred near the state capital of Oklahoma City. A scale-topping F5 twister tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs on May 3, 1999, as meteorologists tracked the storm using a mobile Doppler radar unit. Data from the dish revealed that winds just above the surface peaked at more than 500 km/h, making it the strongest wind ever recorded within a tornado. While it may not have had the strongest winds ever observed, no tornado in recorded history has ever surpassed the size of the storm that occurred just outside of El Reno, Oklahoma, on the afternoon of May 31, 2013. The tornado rapidly grew to 4.2 km (2.6 mi.) in size, making it the widest twister ever observed. Its growth happened so quickly that its violent winds tragically killed several storm chasers in the area. Most large tornadoes churn through open spaces and miss major population centres. But one historic storm on May 22, 2011, struck the heart of the city of Joplin, Missouri, with devastating consequences. 158 people died in the EF-5 tornado after it tore through the southern half of Joplin, levelling entire neighbourhoods and reducing large box stores to piles of rubble. This remains the highest U.S. death toll since advanced warnings began in the mid-1900s. Some truly nightmarish damage came to light in the wake of the storm. Heavy concrete parking stops were ripped from the ground as the tornado passed overhead. Steel manhole covers were blown away and never found. A multi-storey hospital was condemned and eventually demolished after the 320+ km/h winds compromised the entire structure's integrity. Click here to view the video
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
100 years ago: Deadly Tri-State Tornado blows through southern Illinois, community rallies
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O'Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago. (These stories appeared in the O'Fallon Progress about local connections and reactions to the Tri-State Tornado of March 18, 1925, that left a 219-mile path of destruction through southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. According to the National Weather Service, 695 lives were lost, including 234 in Murphysboro, Illinois. It is still considered the deadliest tornado in U. S. history.) When the heavy casualty lists from the storm stricken area in southern Illinois became known through the press, Schwarz Brothers, local undertakers, immediately arranged to assist the city of Murphysboro. H. P. Schwarz, one of the embalmers of the firm, departed at three o'clock last Friday morning for the stricken city and reported to the American Red Cross to whom he offered the services of the concern until such time that the city could recover from its lamentable plight. Mr. Schwarz was assigned to the partly demolished Presbyterian church where storm victims were being prepared for burial in the basement. He remained in the church until Sunday, when the greater portion of the dead had been taken care of. On that day a large number of bodies were buried and Mr. Schwarz assisted in conducting the funerals, returning to this city that night. Mr. Schwarz states that during his stay in the church basement they prepared 61 bodies for burial. When this work was completed he was assigned to conveying critically injured to the depots from where they were taken to hospitals in East St. Louis and other points for treatment. On Sunday the funerals were held from various churches, several being conducted at the same time. Mr. Schwarz relates many pitiful instances while in the stricken city and states that the grief caused by the destruction of life and property is undescribable. Bodies of many of the victims were badly mutilated, some of which were almost beyond identification. Of this number many were fire victims, who escaped the storm but later were caught in fires which resulted from the tornado. Others from here who offered their services to the stricken territory were Assistant Fire Chief Harry Daniels, Samuel Taylor, William Sanspeur and Ferd. Schau, members of the O'Fallon Fire Department, who rushed to Murphysboro via automobile when they learned that the city was on fire. They reported to the Fire Chief of that city but their services were not needed as the city had the situation well in hand. The chief marveled at the interest displayed by the local firemen whom he thanked in the name of Murphysboro, stating that he knew the citizens appreciated the offer from a fire department located more than 100 miles from Murphysboro. * * * O'Fallon citizens and business firms have responded in a praiseworthy manner to the call for financial aid for the benefit of the victims of the most disastrous tornado in the history of the country which swept over southern Illinois taking as its toll more than 800 lives, injuring and maiming 3,000 and laying waste millions of dollars worth of property. While O'Fallon had no fixed quota for cash donations, up to this time more than $1,100 has been received without solicitation or a meeting of any kind. Immediately after the storm the Advisory Board of the Business Men's Association met and unanimously decided to assist the Red Cross in securing finances for the Relief Fund to be used for the storm sufferers. Mayor Ralph Kampmeyer also issued an appeal calling upon the citizens to subscribe to the fund. Contributions are still coming in and predictions are that O'Fallon will give more than $1,200 to the cause. (Donations could be dropped off at the First National Bank and the First State Bank in O'Fallon.) * * * Mike Keller, Mrs. Anna and Mrs. Mary Faitz received word that their sister, Mrs. Charles Schott is in Barnes' Hospital at St. Louis, suffering with serious injuries resulting from the cyclone at Murphysboro last Wednesday. She has a fracture of both arms, a fracture of the right leg and four broken ribs. Her husband is in the same hospital with a fractured skull. Mrs. Schott was home alone when the storm broke, her husband being at work in the M. & O. shops, which were destroyed. After the storm, Schott, although seriously injured, rushed to his home to find it on fire. He heard his wife, who was in the burning building, call for help and came to her rescue by removing debris which had pinned her to the floor. By heroic work he saved her from the flames and took her to the street, where she lay prone for some time before medical aid came. Their home and belongings were completely destroyed, according to members of the Keller family who were in the stricken city, Sunday. (Catherine Schott and her siblings were natives of O'Fallon and Charles Schott was a native of Shiloh. Both survived the tornado. Mike Keller lived on the Keller Farm O'Fallon.) The new and modern fire truck of the O'Fallon-Shiloh Valley-Caseyville Township fire protection district, the only one of its kind in this section of the state as to equipment, which arrived here last Tuesday, received its test under state regulations and for approval Friday. The truck was taken to the Independent Engineering Company lake where it was subjected to a series of tests in the presence of firemen and district trustees. The pumper had a steady run for three hours under different pressure, at one time producing 800 gallons per minute. Firemen were highly pleased with its performance, indicating that it is more than suited in fighting fires in the rural areas. Saturday night the firemen provided a program of first-aid and life-saving with their disaster truck equipment at a meeting of Shiloh Valley Grange. The new pumper was also taken to the Grange Hall where an unusually large crowd of interested farmers inspected the equipment, firemen being kept busy in explaining the many accessories embodied in the fire-fighter. Walter Seibert, of Shiloh Valley Township, a member of the rural fire protection district, was in attendance. A major fire was narrowly averted Monday night in the Marie Schaefer School south building when a custodian discovered smoldering paper stuffed in a hole under a stairway in the basement. Robert Bittles, employed at the school, smelled smoke and alerted the fire department. Paper was found stuffed in two similar holes in the school.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Police officer and husband save woman's life with CPR and AED
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD) announced an officer saved the life of a woman on March 16. Officers say on March 16, Mount Vernon Police Officer Zachary Adkins was on patrol when he saw that the Mt. Vernon Fire Department and Posey County EMS were dispatched to a residence on 10th Street for an unconscious person. Officer Adkins responded to the scene and retrieved his Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Remembering the 1925 Tri-State Tornado MVPD says Officer Adkins entered the residence and observed a woman lying in the floor and determined she had no pulse. Officer Adkins immediately began CPR while he instructed the woman's husband how to open the AED. Officer Adkins placed the AED pads on the patient and a 'shock' was delivered. Officer Adkins then continued CPR as instructed by the AED until another shock was delivered. Personnel from the Mount Vernon Fire Department and Posey County EMS arrived and took over patient care and continued life-saving measures. New vehicle delivered to Posey County schools SRO Officers say if not for Officer Adkins' quick and effective response, the patient may not have survived given the condition she was in upon Officer Adkins' arrival. Chief Rutledge has received calls from other first responders commending Officer Adkins for his actions on that evening and expressing how critical his early arrival and AED deployment was for the patient. A spokesperson said, 'We would like to extend our appreciation to the Posey County Health Department. At the beginning of March, they graciously purchased new AED pads for all MVPD officers to replace pads that were expiring. This allowed MVPD officers to continue carrying AEDs in their patrol vehicles. We are grateful for their continued partnership!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
1925 Tri-State Tornado: The worst in American history
MISSOURI – The Great Tri-State Tornado, the longest tracked F5 tornado in U.S. history, devastated Southeast Missouri, Illinois, and Southwest Indiana on March 18, 1925, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming 695 lives. The tornado, which remained on the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours, traveled 219 miles, causing significant damage across three states. Jackson County, Illinois, was the hardest hit, with over 300 fatalities and widespread destruction to businesses and industry. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The significance of the Tri-State Tornado is that it is still considered the worst tornadic event that has ever happened in American history,' said Mary Riesling of the Jackson County, Illinois Historical Society. 'It killed more than 300 people in Jackson County. The county itself was heavily destroyed when it comes to business, industry, and loss of life.' The tornado's path began in Southeast Missouri and continued through Illinois and Southwest Indiana, showcasing its incredible reach and power. At times, the twister was up to a mile wide, with winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The human toll was staggering, with Jackson County, Illinois, suffering the most with over 300 fatalities out of the total 695 deaths across the three states. The sheer force of the tornado was evident in the aftermath, as pieces of lumber were found driven into the trunks of trees, illustrating the immense power of the winds. The Great Tri-state Tornado remains a somber reminder of the destructive power of nature, with its impact still felt in the communities it ravaged. Historical accounts and photographs continue to preserve the memory of this catastrophic event. For more information and historical photos of the tornado, visit the National Weather Service's page. Explore detailed maps and stories of the tornado's path here. All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Remembering the 1925 Tri-State Tornado
GRIFFIN, Ind. (WEHT) — 100 years ago, communities across the Midwest were dealing with the immediate aftermath of the deadliest tornado in American history. Tucked away in the northwest corner of Posey County sits the small community of Griffin, the epicenter of one of America's darkest days. March 18, 1925, what would be known as the Tri-State Tornado, leveled communities in its path including Griffin. Angela Mason grew up in Southern Illinois, just north of the path of the storm. A conversation with her grandfather in 1981 sparked an interest to dig a little deeper. 'We had some severe weather that Summer and he was talking about it and said it reminded him of 1925,' says Mason. According to the National Weather Service, conditions on that day in 1925 were ripe for severe weather. 'You probably would have had a Moderate or High Risk out if it was in today's terms,' says Meteorologist Christine Wielgos. 'They had no idea there was a threat for tornadoes. I think the forecast, if I remember correctly, was 'rains and shifting winds', was the official forecast that came out for the area. So the only time, the only real sense that people had about the impending danger was seeing this big, black cloud coming toward them.' The tornado stretched from Southeast Missouri to Southern Indiana, lifting just northeast of Princeton after staying on the ground for three and a half hours. Mason decided to do her own research, taking a 2-year journey in 1999 along the tornado's path to interview survivors for her book, 'Death Rides The Sky.' 'One of the things that created the biggest impression on me was how vivid this memory remained in the minds of these people who were, on the average, 8 years old, when this happened,' says Mason. 'These people, one after another, would tell me, 'It was like this: it was dark and it was light then it was over.'' In total, 695 people lost their lives. The town of Griffin, among others, was destroyed but rebuilt. A Main Street building is believed to have survived the tornado. The school, destroyed, but later rebuilt as well. What's left of that school stills stands today, along with memories of the town's resilient spirit. 'Their school mascots were the Griffin Tornadoes…it's like, this is our tornado,' says Mason. 'They don't even call it the Tri-State tornado here, they call it the Griffin tornado.' Although rare, Wielgos says recent storms prove the atmosphere is still capable of extraordinary storms. 'December 10, 2021, was pretty much the modern day Tri-State tornado,' says Wielgos. 'Even though it didn't go 219 miles, it was very close to it, because if it had not cycled across portions of northwest Tennessee, it would have been on the ground for longer than the Tri-State tornado.' Few, if any, scars remain from that storm. While the school building no longer stands, the solemn records, however, still do. To this day, 100 years later, the Tri-State Tornado still holds the top spot for longest path, and for being the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
