100 Years Later: Remembering the Deadliest Tornado in US History

Today marks the somber centennial of the Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest tornado in United States history, which tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

The F5 tornado carved a devastating path of destruction spanning 219 miles, maintaining contact with the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours. Weather experts estimate the tornado's winds exceeded 300 mph as it thundered across the Midwest with little warning.

In its wake, the tornado left 695 people dead, more than 2,000 injured, and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. Entire towns were effectively wiped off the map. Murphysboro, Illinois suffered the greatest loss with 234 fatalities, while the small mining community of West Frankfort lost 148 residents.

What made the Tri-State Tornado particularly deadly was its unusual characteristics. Unlike typical twisters, it lacked the familiar funnel shape, appearing instead as a massive rolling cloud of debris that many witnesses didn't recognize as a tornado until it was too late. The storm also moved at an exceptional speed of 60-70 mph, giving residents precious little time to seek shelter.

At the time, weather forecasting was in its infancy, with no radar systems or modern warning infrastructure. Most victims had mere minutes or seconds to react as the mile-wide storm approached.

A century later, the Tri-State Tornado remains a pivotal event in American weather history that helped drive advances in tornado forecasting, warning systems, and public safety measures that continue to save lives today.

Ruins of Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois, where 17 children perished when the Tri-State Tornado struck at approximately 2:30 PM, devastating the building and forever changing the community

This article was written with the help of generative artificial intelligence.

Southeast Reels from Hurricanes: Helene and Milton’s Devastation

The US Southeast continues to face significant challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in rapid succession in late September and early October. Hurricane Helene resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina. Hurricane Milton, while having a lower death toll at 35, virtually ties Helene for total damages, making the combined damages from both hurricanes estimated at just under $175 billion.

In response, the federal government has approved nearly $2 billion in aid for six affected states, and FEMA has deployed over 1,400 personnel to assist with recovery efforts. State governments have also mobilized National Guard units and established emergency hotlines to support residents.

As communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding, many residents remain without power or running water. Despite these hardships, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. In devastated western North Carolina, volunteers are using mules to deliver supplies to remote areas as restoration contractors work tirelessly to repair homes and businesses.

 

Hurricane Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida's West Coast

Latest projected path of Milton from NOAA and
the National Weather Service

Hurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is rapidly intensifying and poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast. The storm, which formed on Saturday, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall midweek.

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is moving eastward at 6 mph and is forecast to continue on this general path before turning northeast towards Florida.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton could become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph as it approaches the Florida Peninsula. However, there is still uncertainty in the forecast, with some models suggesting the storm could reach Category 5 strength. The primary threats from Hurricane Milton include life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall. Forecasters warn that certain areas could receive up to a foot of rain by Wednesday night, leading to potential flooding of waterways and streets. Storm surge and wind impacts are expected to begin as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday along Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state less than two weeks ago. Mandatory evacuations are already in place in some parts of the state, and officials are urging residents to finalize their storm preparations immediately.

Residents in the potential path of Hurricane Milton are advised to have their hurricane preparedness plans ready and to heed any guidance from local officials. This includes stocking up on essential supplies, securing outdoor items, and being prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so. Some locations are already offering sandbags to residents.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton is particularly concerning given the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the minimal vertical wind shear, conditions that are conducive to strengthening. These same conditions led to the explosive growth of Helene just two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that regardless of the exact strength at landfall, there is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of the Florida coastline by Sunday. Residents throughout Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and northwestern Bahamas, are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and be prepared to take action if necessary.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Hurricane Helene Leaves Destruction Across US Southeast

Hurricane Helene, the first major hurricane to strike the US this year, left billions of dollars in damage and dozens dead across the US Southeast. The fast-moving, large storm made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a category 4 storm before quickly moving into Georgia, snapping trees and damaging buildings with its high winds. Coastal cities like Cedar Key, Florida, were inundated with record-high storm surge, destroying many buildings not built on stilts. The surge in Tampa, hundreds of miles away from where the storm made landfall, also exceeded the surge from Idalia back in 2023.

The storm quickly moved north, dumping torrential rainfall in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Dams in North Carolina nearly reached their breaking point as flood waters moved into population centers, with the city of Asheville, North Carolina becoming isolated from surrounding areas by floodwaters. Videos have shown houses floating away after they were swept off their foundations. One town, Chimney Rock, was nearly completely wiped away by flooding.

Helene, the second major Atlantic hurricane of this season, quickly intensified from a tropical storm in the western Caribbean, dumping rain on eastern Cuba and on the Yucatan Peninsula. The warm ocean waters of the western Caribbean and eastern Gulf of Mexico allowed the storm’s windspeeds to reach 140 mph at landfall, and the storm’s large size allowed it to move high storm surge into a wide area.

Another group of storms is developing close to where Helene first formed in the western Caribbean and may form into another storm this week. Its exact track is still unknown.

 

Hurricane Beryl Becomes Earliest-Forming Category 4 in Atlantic Basin

Hurricane Beryl, only the second storm of what has been predicted to be a highly active Atlantic hurricane season, has become the earliest forming major hurricane in the Atlantic basin as well as the earliest forming category four storm in the basin, beating the record set by Hurricane Dennis in July 2007. Beryl, which only became a tropical storm on June 28th, rapidly intensified into a major hurricane, reaching category 4 status on Sunday.

The storm has the potential to reach category 5 strength, which would displace Hurricane Emily in 2005 as the earliest forming category 5 in the Atlantic.

Beryl will move through the Windward Islands this coming week, with major impacts expected in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. Afterwards, the storm will head towards the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, where it faces an uncertain path forward through the Gulf of Mexico. The European model has Beryl heading into Mexico south of Tampico, while the US model takes Beryl on a more northerly path towards Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Severe Storms Strike Texas and Other States, 25 Dead

At least 25 have been killed in severe weather over the Memorial Day weekend, with subsequent storms on Tuesday, downing power lines and leaving thousands without power in the North Texas region.

Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins warned his county’s residents that it could take days to restore power and that they should avoid downed lines.

The central US has been hammered with severe weather this month as cold fronts collide with hotter air masses, spawning severe thunderstorms and tornadoes as they push south.

 

Midwest Tornado Outbreaks Kill At Least 5

The Midwest endured days of severe weather last week and this past weekend, including tornadoes and strong wind. One of the tornadoes, an EF-4 which struck Marietta, Oklahoma, and killed 1, was the country’s strongest tornado in over a year, with its winds estimated at 170 miles per hour.

Another tornado hit Sulphur, Oklahoma, killing 5 and injuring over 100 others in the small town of just over 5,000. That tornado is currently rated as an EF-3, but could be upgraded as the damage it caused is surveyed further.

 

Heavy Rains Flood New York Subways

 

Nearly eight inches of rain fell in some areas of New York City this past week, causing flash flooding in the nation’s most populous city. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) declared a state of emergency for the area. Some areas in Westchester County just north of the city required rescues using inflatable rafts to retrieve people from flooded buildings. 

The rain caused the New York City subway system to flood, disrupting the method of transportation many in the city rely upon for getting to work. Some bus riders were also stranded for hours on flooded streets.

 

Hurricane Idalia Strikes Florida and East Coast

Hurricane Idalia struck Florida as a category 3 hurricane on Wednesday after briefly peaking in strength as a category 4 storm. Idalia struck the Big Bend area of Florida, where the Florida Panhandle connects to the larger Florida peninsula.

Idalia’s storm surge flooded coastal communities and low-lying inland areas. However, Idalia’s damage was nowhere near the destruction brought by last year’s Hurricane Ian, which struck as a strong category 4 storm in Southwest Florida, devastating the cities of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. Unlike Ian, Idalia was a fast-moving storm, leaving less time for storm surge and heavy rains to inundate populated centers. Still, insured losses from Idalia are projected to exceed $9 billion. Ian’s damages, in contrast, were $113 billion, making it the third-costliest Atlantic hurricane on record after Katrina and Harvey.

After striking Florida, Idalia moved up into Georgia, bringing rain and wind as it weakened over land. Idalia is currently hugging the North Carolina coast and moving offshore, where it is projected to move out to sea and possibly affect Bermuda in the coming days as weak hurricane.

 

Midwestern Air Quality Drops as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Moves South

Midwestern states are facing an onslaught of smoke from Canadian wildfires, experiencing the same phenomenon that eastern states endured earlier this month. 

Residents of Chicago experienced the worst air quality in the world as 488 wildfires send their smoke into the US, 259 of which are deemed as ‘out of control’ by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Other local and state authorities have issued advisories on the hazardous air conditions, advising residents to stay indoors.

Winter Storm Leads to Rare California Snow

 A strong winter storm led to snow across the state, along with high winds that took down power lines, causing over 170,000 power outages. Cars were stranded on I-15 because of snow, hail, and strong winds, with snowflakes and hail even reported at the famed Hollywood sign.

The storm caused severe weather across the US, with blizzard conditions reported in Midwestern states and tornado watches issued in several Southern states.

While the storm caused blizzard conditions in some of the country, some areas outside the storm’s path reported record high temperatures.

 

Ice Storms Sweep Across the US

At least 1,800 flights were cancelled as winter storms swept across the US on Tuesday. Icy conditions were responsible for numerous car crashes on roads in Texas, with 7,000 power outages reported across the state.

In Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) declared a state of emergency as motorists in the state struggled with icy road conditions as well.

Icy road conditions from the storm are expected to affect several states into Thursday.

 

Winter Storm Leaves 91 Dead, Leads to Travel Mayhem

 Last week’s Christmas winter storm has left at least 91 dead, with over 2.5 million left without power for at least some period of time.

Many of the US deaths were caused by cold exposure, some of whom were pedestrians who became disoriented when walking outside in blizzard conditions. Some became trapped in their cars and were unable to get to warm shelter. Traffic accidents also claimed several victims.

In Synder, New York, near Buffalo, 56.5 inches of snow fell.

The cold temperatures from the storm spread across the US. Even in Houston, temperatures dropped so low that bats lost their grip on the bridges where they make homes. Volunteers managed to gather the affected bats so they could warm them sufficiently, and afterwards they released the bats back to their bridges.

Millions lost power during the storm. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began rolling blackouts to prevent more widespread power outages. In Texas, power outages were much more limited than what was seen in the February 2021 winter storm.

The storm also led to mass cancellations of flights, leading to travel mayhem as travelers were stranded in airports trying to get to their destinations before Christmas day. Southwest Airlines was the hardest hit, with the airline experiencing a meltdown of their planning software. Employees were left to manually schedule crews for flights, and customers were forced to spend several hours on hold with customer service agents in attempts to rebook their flights. The US Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into the cancellations.

Kentucky Floods Kill at Least 26

Heavy rains in Kentucky this past week caused massive flooding that has claimed the lives of at least 26 people, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D). As many as 37 remain unaccounted for as rescuers attempt to access affected areas, efforts that have been hampered by damage to roads and bridges.

A dozen shelters were opened for flood victims, with least 388 residents taking refuge there Sunday.

The flooding has swept homes off their foundations and sweeping debris for hundreds of yards.

More rain is expected for many of the affected areas in Kentucky, further threatening residents already struggling to recover.

Map showing rainfall totals in Kentucky from 7/25

through 7/29. The heaviest rainfall totals, in red, were 

in eastern Kentucky.

Nor'easter Dumps Massive Amounts of Snow over the Weekend

Cities across the Northeast are cleaning up after a strong nor’easter tore through the region this weekend, dumping massive amounts of snow and bringing freezing temperatures.

Boston experienced 23.6 inches of snow in one day, tying a record set in 2003.

Authorities had urged residents to stay off the roads and away from any downed powerlines.

 

La Palma Volcano Eruption Destroys Buildings, Forces Evacuations in Canary Islands

Residents of the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands have been dealing with the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja Volcano, its first eruption since 1971.

While no deaths have been reported as a result of the eruption, more than 5000 residents have been evacuated as 600 buildings have so far been destroyed since the eruption started on September 19. The lava flow reached the shore on September 28.

Spain’s government, which controls the Canary Islands, has provided aid and assistance to the island.

 

Hurricane Ida Strikes Louisiana on Katrina Anniversary

 Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana Sunday, brining damaging flooding and winds to the region. It made landfall exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina struck the same region on August 29, 2005.

The storm knocked out power for many in its path, with  1 million customer still without power as of Monday night. No major flooding was reported within the New Orleans flood control system, a testament to the post-Katrina updates that aimed to prevent the catastrophic destruction the city experienced.

At least two people have been killed by the storm, one by a falling tree and one by drowning in his car in flood waters.

Ida’s 150 mile per hour winds at landfall made it one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the US directly, though its lower storm surge than Katrina has prevented the widespread catastrophic flooding that made Katrina the most expensive natural disaster in US history.

 

Fires Continue to Burn Thousands of Acres in California

Strong winds and abundance vegetation has continued to fuel wildfires throughout California. One fire threatened the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which was saved by a change in wind direction and the efforts of some goats, which ate the vegetation around the property and created a fire perimeter.

Other fires have broken out in San Bernardino County and across Southern California, promoting massive evacuations and burning dozens of homes. Other fires in Northern California, including one believed to have been started by an arsonist (put out soon after it began), have threatened homes and property there as well. The largest of those fires, the Kincade Fire, has burned nearly 80,000 acres.

Massive power-shutoffs by California’s main electrical utility, PG&E, were started earlier this month to prevent wildfires. Old, damaged lines can spark wildfires when they fail, sometimes with destructive consequences such as in the 2018 Camp Fire, which led to at least 85 deaths and $16.5 billion in damage. The shutdowns have not been without controversy,  however, as the shutdowns have lefts millions without power periodically and caused massive disruption to those affected.

PG&E, still facing billions in liability claims from the Camp Fire and other outbreaks, is planning on replacing many of those lines going forward.

Another Heat Wave Strikes Europe

Another heat wave has stricken the European continent, the second major one this year. At least six deaths, five in France and one in Belgium, have been blamed on the phenomenon, which is caused by a meteorological air pressure block that has maintained the hot temperatures for over a week.

Temperatures in France have reached as high as 108.7 °F. (42.6 °C) and 107.2 °F. (41.8 °C) in Belgium. These temperatures have led to the deaths of hundreds of farm animals, whose ventilation systems failed in the heat’s wake. The heat wave has also raised river temperatures, which has led to a decline in their use for cooling systems, wishing to maintain conditions to protect aquatic life.

In the UK, trains have been ordered to maintain slower speeds to protect against buckling railways, and concerns have been raised over the stability of the Notre Dame Cathedral in France. The cathedral, damaged by a major fire earlier this year, has vulnerable structures which could break further because of the heat’s effect on water-logged materials.

Strong Heat Waves Hit Around the World

This summer has come with massive heat waves around the world. One in India and Pakistan has killed at least 184 in one east Indian state, with dozens more likely killed across the region. This heat wave, which is still ongoing since its start in May, has led to record-breaking heat, with the highest temperature recorded as just over 123 °F. in Churu, India.

Problems in India have been exasperated by water shortages, much caused by delays and irregularities in its monsoon season, which begins in June.

Another heat wave has stricken Europe, with at least thirteen people across the region dying as result of drownings in attempts to keep cool and heat strokes. France recorded its all-time record high of 114.6 °F, and many other countries experienced abnormal heat often in excess of 90 °F.

The European heat wave is caused by a high pressure system and winds coming from the Sahara Desert, one of the hottest regions on earth.

The frequency and severity of future heat waves is likely to intensify as earth’s global temperatures continue to rise.