A Tale of Two Centuries
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (72318)
United States
March 14, 2025 8:36pm CST
Many of you in America know that there is a severe weather outbreak this weekend in the Midwest and Deep South. This presents a tale of two centuries.
This weekend’s severe weather has been, excuse the pun, on the radar for over a week. There has been a severe outlook since last Friday. The area has been defined as ranging from Louisiana to Minnesota, so basically the length of the Mississippi River.
But let’s go back a hundred years. Tuesday (3/18) is the centennial anniversary of the worst tornado in American history, and the second-worst single tornado in recorded world history. It’s known as the Tri-State Tornado. On March 18, 1925, the tornado touched down in Ellington, Missouri at about 12:45 PM central time. It didn’t lift until 4:30 PM central time in Pike County, Indiana, some two hundred and nineteen miles later.
The tornado left nearly 700 dead and a number of towns quite literally removed from the map. Annapolis, Missouri wasn’t rebuilt. Neither was Biehle, MO or Gorham, Illinois or Parrish, IL. The town of Murphysboro, Illinois had a fatality count of 234. For comparison, the entire fatality rate in the state of Alabama in the April 27, 2011 “super outbreak” was 252.
And that is part of the story of the difference in the storms. The people whose lives and properties were destroyed in 1925 had NO idea that the storm was coming. In contrast, we’ve known this outbreak was possible for over a week. If you’re outside enjoying a walk in the park and a tornado warning is issued, your phone will go off. (If you’re like me, with six weather apps on the phone, it’ll buzz a lot.
) The people outside in 1925 had no warning until they looked up and saw it coming. Then it was too late.
That’s part of the blessings of our modern scientific and technological advances. There will probably still be millions, if not billions, of dollars in damage this weekend; however, thanks to the ability to see things way in advance, the loss of life will be nowhere near what it was in 1925.
A video about the track of the Tri-State Tornado in 1925 (view discretion advised because there are photos of bodies in the video):


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14 people like this
11 responses
@DaddyEvil (143291)
• United States
11h
I turned off weather alerts on my phone. If a tornado wants me, I'll go quietly. Pretty leaves weather alerts on and the noise can be annoying.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
11h
It’s supposed to be annoying so you don’t sleep through it. 

3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (143291)
• United States
10h
@FourWalls But sleeping through it is much better... Tornados don't come into our city so it should be a surprise event if it ever does happen. 

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (186491)
• United States
11h
Wow, I had no idea.vThanks, for sharing the info
2 people like this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
11h
Weather history is one of my passions. Happy to share the info.
2 people like this

@kareng (70289)
• United States
9h
@FourWalls Bicycle helmets? Are people going to sleep with them on their heads?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
10h
I’m glad to hear it. James Spann said stores were sold out of weather radios and bicycle helmets.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
9h
@kareng — I have mine hanging on the doorknob in case I have to get to my safe place.
2 people like this

@allknowing (142130)
• India
9h
What difference does it make if one knows what to expect if there is nothing one can do about it. On the contrary not knowing will give one peace in those two weeks where announcements are being made.
1 person likes this

@allknowing (142130)
• India
9h
@FourWalls Depends on the intensity. In India despite warnings there was little one could do to save lives
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
9h
@allknowing — understood. There are things they have no warning for, like earthquakes.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
9h
I have my tornado plan ready, like having my helmet in my safe place. You can’t control the weather but you can take actions to save your life.
2 people like this

@Tampa_girl7 (52128)
• United States
Just now
It’s dark , wet and gloomy. It stormed in the wee hours. Our lights went off, but came back on. Waiting for the main event to start. Praying it’s not severe.
@MarieCoyle (41810)
•
10h
We are so fortunate to get warnings and the time to hopefully get to safety. I don't care if my phone goes off in the night and wakes me up, it's fine. I appreciate the warnings.
Be safe, my friend.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72318)
• United States
9h
Glad to see you, you had storms not too far from you earlier.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (41810)
•
9h
@FourWalls
They are just now saying that the next 2-3 hours could get pretty nasty. It's already made it to Springfield, and that's only 90 miles away. Phone is on charger, weather radio out, flashlights, etc. Car is in the garage, trash can in garage, too. It is extremely windy and has been all day. Stay safe!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162499)
• United States
1h
As a coworker was saying yesterday before we left the school "something feels off. Look outside. But there are no warnings or alerts here yet. As a Western Kansas Girl I know, something is coming." Their family they were visiting for Spring break told them to wait until this morning to travel.
@id_peace (15210)
• Singapore
3h
I am thankful that I do not encounter such weathers in my country. Occasional strong winds but terribly warm weathers.
