Tornado: Longest-Lasting/Greatest Distance Traveled Single Tornado
| Record Value | 352.4 km (219 mi.) / 3 ½ hours duration |
|---|---|
| Date of Event | 18/3/1925 |
| Geospatial Location | Ellington, Missouri to Princeton Indiana |
Reference
Grazulis, T.P., 1993: Significant Tornadoes, (St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films), pp. 1326
Discussion
The so-called Tri-State Tornado traveled an exact heading N 69° E for 183 of its 219 mile track. It was on the ground for 3 ½ hours and killed an estimated 695 people. Its average forward (not rotational) speed was 27.7 m/s (62 mph) with a maximum speed of 32.6 m/s (73 mph).
Track Map of the 18 March 1925 Tri-State Tornado (black line) and photo of the ruins of the Longfellow School where 17 children were killed.
Track Map of the 18 March 1925 Tri-State Tornado (black line) and photo of the ruins of the Longfellow School where 17 children were killed.