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The Forgotten Storm: The Great Tri-State Tornado of 1925
The amazing true story of the deadliest tornado in American history, as told by a survivor.
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
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April 18, 2017
In the year 1925, just a few minutes past one o'clock in the afternoon of the eighteenth of March, the deadliest tornado in United States history began. It set records for speed, velocity, and destruction. It was also an F5 Tornado.
F5 = Incredible damage: Strong, well-constructed houses obliterated and debris scattered - empty foundations are F5 trademarks. 261-318 mph
There was no standardized warning system in the 1920s, but it's doubtful it would have helped much as the tornado moved with such speed that people who saw it miles away would turn to start running only to be broken into pieces before they could cross the street. In general, any tornado is terrifying but this one was the Big Mother of storms.
The author was a 2-year old boy at the time and he and his parents barely survived, with his father suffering badly. So when he writes of townspeople and what they endured, we are getting the true gospel. But what I really liked about this book was the way Akin moved back and forth between the description of each town's destruction and pure scientific reasoning. Lightning will accompany a tornado, so Akin will then devote the next section to lightning and why it occurs. Thus, the reader never loses interest.
Years later a friend told me that upon reaching her home she had found only an open field; in the middle of it she saw her decapitated grandmother, still sitting in her rocking chair.
It is also interesting to read of bygone days and customs, when laws were stern and justice stood, and people were behaving as they ought to (good). At the end of one paragraph, he describes how school was...school. By second grade, every child could read, because first-grade teachers devoted all of their time to this important skill. Children were disciplined and accepted one full day of learning.
...children were not utilized as unpaid day laborers for community work
When catastrophe struck, the schools were the first places to which help arrived, as the school was the center of the universe for these small towns and everyone helped each other. This focus explains the rural personality of 1920s America and how one Big Mother tornado tore it all to pieces.
Reconstruction of an event from the distant past is more difficult because of the influence of culture on perceptions.
Book Season = Spring (nice wind)
F5 = Incredible damage: Strong, well-constructed houses obliterated and debris scattered - empty foundations are F5 trademarks. 261-318 mph
There was no standardized warning system in the 1920s, but it's doubtful it would have helped much as the tornado moved with such speed that people who saw it miles away would turn to start running only to be broken into pieces before they could cross the street. In general, any tornado is terrifying but this one was the Big Mother of storms.
The author was a 2-year old boy at the time and he and his parents barely survived, with his father suffering badly. So when he writes of townspeople and what they endured, we are getting the true gospel. But what I really liked about this book was the way Akin moved back and forth between the description of each town's destruction and pure scientific reasoning. Lightning will accompany a tornado, so Akin will then devote the next section to lightning and why it occurs. Thus, the reader never loses interest.
Years later a friend told me that upon reaching her home she had found only an open field; in the middle of it she saw her decapitated grandmother, still sitting in her rocking chair.
It is also interesting to read of bygone days and customs, when laws were stern and justice stood, and people were behaving as they ought to (good). At the end of one paragraph, he describes how school was...school. By second grade, every child could read, because first-grade teachers devoted all of their time to this important skill. Children were disciplined and accepted one full day of learning.
...children were not utilized as unpaid day laborers for community work
When catastrophe struck, the schools were the first places to which help arrived, as the school was the center of the universe for these small towns and everyone helped each other. This focus explains the rural personality of 1920s America and how one Big Mother tornado tore it all to pieces.
Reconstruction of an event from the distant past is more difficult because of the influence of culture on perceptions.
Book Season = Spring (nice wind)
March 24, 2019
Author Wallace Akin, who passed in 2012, was one of the last living links to the most disastrous tornado in American history. He was a two-year-old toddler in March 1925 when the record-breaking twister devastated his hometown of Murphysboro, Illinois, and lifted his home off the ground, a la The Wizard of Oz. While in his mother's arms, he went airborne in the maelstrom. Unlike the nearly 700 others who perished in the 219-mile-path-tracked storm, Akin's family luckily survived, and stories of the tornado formed the core of his family's lore for the rest of this life. It spurred his career in meteorology and in writing weather textbooks.
Although somewhat repetitive (sensational as it may be, accounts of people being impaled or decapitated by weaponized debris for page after page holds my interest for only so long), this is about as good an account of the tornado one can expect to find. Akin did extensive research, and peppers his account with nice personal touches that can only come from someone who experienced the event firsthand. Akin's feel for the fauna and history of his stomping ground (he mentions playing among places still scarred by the tornado as a child, for instance) elevate this one above the usual disaster narrative. One wishes Akin had spent less time writing textbooks and more time honing his creative writing, because in this book he shows much elan and evocation in his style. With some practice he could have become, I believe, a notable regional writer in the manner of Jesse Stuart or Wendell Berry.
Two caveats. One, the Tri-State Tornado is hardly a forgotten storm, despite the book's title. Two, no photos exist of the tornado, so the photo used on the cover is pilfered from some other event. FYI.
Akin finished this book a decade before his death at the age of 89. Glad he managed to provide this valuable record just in time.
eg/kr '19
Although somewhat repetitive (sensational as it may be, accounts of people being impaled or decapitated by weaponized debris for page after page holds my interest for only so long), this is about as good an account of the tornado one can expect to find. Akin did extensive research, and peppers his account with nice personal touches that can only come from someone who experienced the event firsthand. Akin's feel for the fauna and history of his stomping ground (he mentions playing among places still scarred by the tornado as a child, for instance) elevate this one above the usual disaster narrative. One wishes Akin had spent less time writing textbooks and more time honing his creative writing, because in this book he shows much elan and evocation in his style. With some practice he could have become, I believe, a notable regional writer in the manner of Jesse Stuart or Wendell Berry.
Two caveats. One, the Tri-State Tornado is hardly a forgotten storm, despite the book's title. Two, no photos exist of the tornado, so the photo used on the cover is pilfered from some other event. FYI.
Akin finished this book a decade before his death at the age of 89. Glad he managed to provide this valuable record just in time.
eg/kr '19
May 31, 2010
Rating should be 3 1/2 stars
The Forgotten Storm chronicles the Tri-State Tornado of 1925, which traveled from southeastern Missouri through southern Illinois before dissipating in southern Indiana.
Author Wallace Akin has first hand knowledge of this terrible tornado; he was two years old when the tornado hit his home in Murphysboro, IL.
Akin uses first hand interviews, recollections, period newspaper reports and solid resources to reconstruct the path of the tornado town by town. It is a compelling, heart-breaking account about the small town people, miners and farmers; these people had no idea that the tornado was approaching until it was upon them.
Mr. Akin was a professor at Drake University and has studied weather and climate. The book is thorough and knowledgeable. However, I found it a little academic. I would have liked to have read more first hand accounts, as the personal stories of both victims and survivors were better than any fiction I've ever read.
The meteorological studies were fine for me, but I had just taken a course on meteorology. For those not familiar with terminology, I feel that the charts and explanations could be difficult to understand and that some readers will merely skip over them to get to the human, more personal accounts of this disaster.
It is definitely worth reading with a word of caution about the academics.
The Forgotten Storm chronicles the Tri-State Tornado of 1925, which traveled from southeastern Missouri through southern Illinois before dissipating in southern Indiana.
Author Wallace Akin has first hand knowledge of this terrible tornado; he was two years old when the tornado hit his home in Murphysboro, IL.
Akin uses first hand interviews, recollections, period newspaper reports and solid resources to reconstruct the path of the tornado town by town. It is a compelling, heart-breaking account about the small town people, miners and farmers; these people had no idea that the tornado was approaching until it was upon them.
Mr. Akin was a professor at Drake University and has studied weather and climate. The book is thorough and knowledgeable. However, I found it a little academic. I would have liked to have read more first hand accounts, as the personal stories of both victims and survivors were better than any fiction I've ever read.
The meteorological studies were fine for me, but I had just taken a course on meteorology. For those not familiar with terminology, I feel that the charts and explanations could be difficult to understand and that some readers will merely skip over them to get to the human, more personal accounts of this disaster.
It is definitely worth reading with a word of caution about the academics.
December 10, 2025
On March 17, 1925 a tornado outbreak occurred throughout portions of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Over two thousand people were injured and eight hundred were killed. This event was believed to be an F5, though was not officially rated as such. Damage was around $2.4 billion dollars in the current market. This book was very interesting and tremendously detailed. It is crazy to think that this was one hundred years ago this year!
June 11, 2023
Interestingly written account of a massive and destructive tornado. I knew nothing of the storm. And until recently, did not know my neighbor had written it!
September 28, 2024
I was hoping for more scientific discussion and data from this one. Obviously the publication date is over 20 years old and we’ve seen numerous historical tornado outbreaks and generational killers (see: Joplin 2011, El Reno and Moore 2013, among several others). Until these 21st century super storms and outbreaks, the Tri-State WAS the benchmark for historical significance in terms of property damage, loss of life and max velocity. Several accounts suggest this tornado was about a mile wide at its worst and contained multiple vortices, likely emphasizing and enhancing the ground speed velocities.
“Many described the storm as a green or black “fog” or haze (check out The Weather Channel’s 1994 special “Target Tornado” for a rough but comical rendering of what the tornado looked like according to those accounts). Again, such detail insinuates a rain-wrapped tornado or HP Supercell (High Precipitation). These rain curtains can and usually DO disguise the funnel on the flank of the supercell. However, given the wide swath of the damage path in some locations, it’s entirely possible that whatever wedge shape or “fog-like” cloud these folks observed very well could have been the entire funnel/mesocyclone.
Toward the end of the book:
“Workmen were able somehow to lift our home from the piles of lumber intact. One of my earliest memories was standing and watching those men move it. One burly worker, seeing me nearby, walked over and, taking my hand, escorted me to the work site and placed my hand on the turning bar of the large jack they were using to raise the house. Instructing me to push the handle (he surreptitiously pulled on the other end), I went through the motions of helping put my house back on its foundation. I can still see the crew smiling and congratulating me on what a good job I did helping them.”
“Many described the storm as a green or black “fog” or haze (check out The Weather Channel’s 1994 special “Target Tornado” for a rough but comical rendering of what the tornado looked like according to those accounts). Again, such detail insinuates a rain-wrapped tornado or HP Supercell (High Precipitation). These rain curtains can and usually DO disguise the funnel on the flank of the supercell. However, given the wide swath of the damage path in some locations, it’s entirely possible that whatever wedge shape or “fog-like” cloud these folks observed very well could have been the entire funnel/mesocyclone.
Toward the end of the book:
“Workmen were able somehow to lift our home from the piles of lumber intact. One of my earliest memories was standing and watching those men move it. One burly worker, seeing me nearby, walked over and, taking my hand, escorted me to the work site and placed my hand on the turning bar of the large jack they were using to raise the house. Instructing me to push the handle (he surreptitiously pulled on the other end), I went through the motions of helping put my house back on its foundation. I can still see the crew smiling and congratulating me on what a good job I did helping them.”
January 6, 2009
Wallace Akin's the Forgotten Storm: the Great Tri-State Tornado of 1925 is a well written and researched book. Many of the stories in the book actually came from the survivors of the storm. Mr. Akin was a survivor, who as a 2 year old boy, lived in the twon of Murphysboro, IL. This town was one of the hardest hit by the tornado.
The supercell tornado began in the state of Missouri, crossed the Mississippi River into Southern Illinois and then crossed the Wabash River into Indiana. In Indiana, some of the towns affected were Princeton, Griffin and Owensville, along with many small villages and lots of the fertile farmland of Southwest Indiana. Many people were killed and many more were injured.
As there was no weather warning system, most people were out doing their usual activities and were caught without shelter when the 70 mhp ground speed tornado hit. The tornado is estimated to have been an F5 due to the tremendous amount of damage it caused. Whole towns were destroyed and whole families were wiped out.
There were many tales of heroism and many tales of horror. People survived the tornado only to be burned to death in the fires started afterwards by the heating and cooking stoves in their houses and business. It was an impressive how unaffected areas sent doctors, nurses and supplies via the railroad to help the suffering.
The supercell tornado began in the state of Missouri, crossed the Mississippi River into Southern Illinois and then crossed the Wabash River into Indiana. In Indiana, some of the towns affected were Princeton, Griffin and Owensville, along with many small villages and lots of the fertile farmland of Southwest Indiana. Many people were killed and many more were injured.
As there was no weather warning system, most people were out doing their usual activities and were caught without shelter when the 70 mhp ground speed tornado hit. The tornado is estimated to have been an F5 due to the tremendous amount of damage it caused. Whole towns were destroyed and whole families were wiped out.
There were many tales of heroism and many tales of horror. People survived the tornado only to be burned to death in the fires started afterwards by the heating and cooking stoves in their houses and business. It was an impressive how unaffected areas sent doctors, nurses and supplies via the railroad to help the suffering.
April 17, 2024
This is a terrifying book if you live anywhere near or in an area that may have tornadoes. Forming over Missouri in 1925, this storm crossed over southern Illinois and into Indiana wreaking havoc and destruction. Full of personal accounts of survival and loss, this storm killed 695 people and wounded over 2000 in its 31/2 hour path of destruction.. We now have a prediction and warning system, but tornadoes are a force that man will never control, only endure.
January 2, 2023
Very Informative
The author gave the reader the meteorological and personal experience of this historic event in full measure.
He was a survivor of the storm; and passed away in 2012.
The narrative was clear and descriptive.
The author discussed other major tornado events and included many diagrams and some photos of natures fury.
A very interesting book.
The author gave the reader the meteorological and personal experience of this historic event in full measure.
He was a survivor of the storm; and passed away in 2012.
The narrative was clear and descriptive.
The author discussed other major tornado events and included many diagrams and some photos of natures fury.
A very interesting book.
July 13, 2025
Really solid book! Interesting format that I’ve never seen before for a genre like this, but I really liked it. Great overview of the tornado, with sprinkles of meteorological explanations and personal stories every now and then. The pictures were great, I wish there was more + more maps to show where we were geographically/along the tornadoes path.
April 9, 2022
Even though this was non-fiction it read like fiction, stories of survival and destruction. There were facts about weather and the formation of this tornado thrown in, but not overly technical. It was amazing the number of people who survived when so many were killed.
December 31, 2018
Informative read
Great informative book worth reading. I found the book interesting and very well written. A must add to your reading collection.
Great informative book worth reading. I found the book interesting and very well written. A must add to your reading collection.
February 10, 2019
2.5 stars
April 23, 2020
Great overview of the event by someone who survived in the hardest hit town by that tornado.
June 11, 2021
In order to graduate I have to do research on something geography related. Being a student whose major is geography with a minor in meteorology and climatology I had to choose something weather related.
For my final project I am doing research on the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. I want to recreate it in modern settings. If this weather event happened today, the tornado followed the same path what would the outcome be? Would more people be killed and injured? What is the population difference from 1925 to 2020? Has any new towns popped up in the path in the almost 100 years since?
This is the book where my research started. I found two scientific papers that have been published on the storm and looking in the reference section this book was used for both papers. This book is written by a respected meteorologist and survivor of the tornado, he was just 2 years old when it happened.
This book is like a play by play of the path of the tornado. He writes in way that keeps you reading and it is not bogged down with technical jargon that the average reader would not understand. He offers professional knowledge to explain why this storm behaved the way it did and what is going on during the event. He also adds personal stories of those who lived and died during the event. He captures the storm and its devastation while also highlighting the heroic efforts and aftermath after the storm passed.
This is a must read for anyone who loves weather events, or is a current geography or meteorology student like myself. It is just a fantastic read! Informative and entertaining, shocking and at times heartbreaking.
For my final project I am doing research on the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. I want to recreate it in modern settings. If this weather event happened today, the tornado followed the same path what would the outcome be? Would more people be killed and injured? What is the population difference from 1925 to 2020? Has any new towns popped up in the path in the almost 100 years since?
This is the book where my research started. I found two scientific papers that have been published on the storm and looking in the reference section this book was used for both papers. This book is written by a respected meteorologist and survivor of the tornado, he was just 2 years old when it happened.
This book is like a play by play of the path of the tornado. He writes in way that keeps you reading and it is not bogged down with technical jargon that the average reader would not understand. He offers professional knowledge to explain why this storm behaved the way it did and what is going on during the event. He also adds personal stories of those who lived and died during the event. He captures the storm and its devastation while also highlighting the heroic efforts and aftermath after the storm passed.
This is a must read for anyone who loves weather events, or is a current geography or meteorology student like myself. It is just a fantastic read! Informative and entertaining, shocking and at times heartbreaking.
April 29, 2022
You’ve probably never heard of it, but the Tri-State Tornado was a true monster. The book is short and to the point. It is even more powerful because of that. In keeping with that, here are the facts to get you interested in it:
Deadliest tornado in US History (and second in world history) with 695 deaths. That’s twice more than the second deadliest in US history.
Stretched to over a mile wide at one point.
Forward speed was put at 73 miles an hour.
Wind speed probably around 300 miles per hour.
Traveled across three states: Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
Completely destroyed the towns of Gorham, Illinois and Griffin, Indiana. Some sources say “nearly annihilated.”
Traveled the farthest of any tornado in history at 219 miles.
Deadliest tornado in US History (and second in world history) with 695 deaths. That’s twice more than the second deadliest in US history.
Stretched to over a mile wide at one point.
Forward speed was put at 73 miles an hour.
Wind speed probably around 300 miles per hour.
Traveled across three states: Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
Completely destroyed the towns of Gorham, Illinois and Griffin, Indiana. Some sources say “nearly annihilated.”
Traveled the farthest of any tornado in history at 219 miles.
December 14, 2020
3.75 stars
February 8, 2011
Seeing this book in a Maryland bookstore brought back a memory of my grandmother telling me about this tornado as she went through it in Missouri as a little girl.I bought the book on the spot. I've reread it a few times over the years. I think the fact the author also went through the storm as a small child helped with telling the story. I think a modern historian could do as good of a job if not better with facts and figures but the feeling of being there and being effected would not be the same.
While I personally think the book "And Hell Followed With It" about the Topeka KS tornado is the most well written account of a tornado I have read, I still come back to read this book every couple of springs or so, maybe it's the family connection.
While I personally think the book "And Hell Followed With It" about the Topeka KS tornado is the most well written account of a tornado I have read, I still come back to read this book every couple of springs or so, maybe it's the family connection.
April 11, 2013
Short read chronicling the huge tornado that killed so many in 1925. Told through the eyes of those that were there via testimonies from the time, but also set in context with an explanation of the weather phenomenon that spawned it and kept at a level that does both a good job of explanation as well as being very readable and the accounts personal.
Not as riveting as some of the more recent accounts of disasters due to the length of time that has passed, but nonetheless a very interesting read - can only imagine what such a storm would do should it arise today.
Not as riveting as some of the more recent accounts of disasters due to the length of time that has passed, but nonetheless a very interesting read - can only imagine what such a storm would do should it arise today.
April 7, 2014
This book was decent. I kinda wish I'dve read it before I read Death Rides the Sky because that one is so detailed. This one gives a better overview and also includes solid weather data that add to the story and don't bog us down. I did feel a little like he focused more on Illinois, but since that's where he lived, it's understandable.
This would be a good first read about the TriState Tornado.
This would be a good first read about the TriState Tornado.
May 18, 2015
Goid read witg svience facts interspersed in the narrative. Only thing I call a misnomer is that it isnt his account its a collection of accounts and news sources of the day. He was only 2 when the storm struck so most of the memories are not his but what others told him. Worth the read as i read it for a book club.
August 3, 2011
Awesome book and fast read. His stories are amazing!
April 10, 2013
Enjoyed these accounts of that devastating tornado
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews