The Tri-State Tornado: The Story of America's Greatest Tornado Disaster

by Peter S. Felknor

The Tri-State Tornado is a gripping account of the worst tornado disaster in American history. Claiming 689 lives during a three-hour rampage across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925, the storm had one of the longest uninterrupted paths (219 miles) and one of the widest (up to one mile) of any recorded tornado. Its continuous energy was so extreme that it completely obliterated several small towns in its path. Although the fatality count was nearly that of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, with the exception of meteorologists and residents of the affected area, few had ever heard of this catastrophe until this book's initial release in 1992.The Tri-State Tornado reconstructs the tragedy, using vivid eyewitness accounts of fourteen survivors who lived along the tornado's path from the Missouri Ozarks to southwestern Indiana. The clarity with which they recall that day in their lives over sixty years earlier will give readers the unsettling feeling that the tornado struck days, not decades, ago.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, American History, Nature, Education

101 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 1992

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book! Much of the book is written from actual survivors accounts of the event. Being only 100 pages I find myself wishing for more! This was a truly amazing event and even though the book is not very long it still has a lot of info and is a great account of this amazing tragedy. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Charlie Newfell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but solid account of the deadliest tornado in the USA's history. Researched and written in the 1980's, so a surprising number of survivor's from the 1925 event were still around to recall the effects.

The survivor's accounts are what brings this slice of history to life.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having personally experienced the devastation this spring from a tornado, and having long been fascinated by them, I was curious about the story of the country’s most deadly twister. Published more than 15 years ago with interviews done 15 years earlier, it seems out of date now but is still interesting in that it includes memories from eyewitnesses that are now likely dead. Its organization makes it sometimes difficult to tell whether what is printed is the author’s voice, a witness’s voice or a cited other publication. But readers will be able to get a sense of the devastation, the unusual aspects of this tornado, and the sometimes limited but often generous help survivors received.

[Chelsea Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book! You get a town by town account as the tornado travels across three states. The n the author finishes the book with interviews from those who were there and experienced the twister first hand. You hear and experience their first hand stories of what they are their loved went through to survive this deadly tornado. It is an amazing read and a great introduction into one of the deadliest tornadoes in American history.

[Kyru Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that came out in 2004, it's short and informative. The author's respectful and did interviews with some of the people who had experienced the tornado firsthand. If you want to get into the tri-state tornado of 1925 but want to start with books, I recommend this one as your first read.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting and heartbreaking read about the historic 1925 Tri-State Tornado. The first-hand accounts are difficult to read, thinking that these people actually went through that stuff.

[Spicy T AKA Mr. Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never heard of the Tri-State Tornado until I got serious about my desire to travel with a team of scientists chasing tornadoes while filming them doing it. Hopeful that this idea will be fruitful in the summer of 2012.

Anyway, the Tri-State tornado ripped through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana killing nearly 700 people and causing over $16 million dollars worth of damage in 1925.

The author spoke with survivors of the tornado and got some pretty good accounts. He lays out what happened on March 16 based on oral testimony from these survivor interviews and newspaper clippings. Pretty interesting read and pretty quick. Glad I read it!

[pianogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. A lot of first person recounts of the disaster. I've read several books on the Tri-State and I don't feel like I have a great idea about the tornado itself. It just seems like this big cloud snuck up on people, was loud and windy, then everybody died. The devastation was incredible, though. I can't imagine living through something like this.

[Brad Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out ok...but turned pretty boring past the middle. It's pretty interesting history about a tornado outbreak I have never heard of...so it would be good if you like history but like I said, you may put it down once you get past the middle.

[GrannyLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Nice combination of facts and info, interspersed with eyewitness accounts.