NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

This may have been a tri-state tornado or a family of tornadoes extending from Missouri, across Illinois, to Indiana.  The most well documented part of the path was near the Mississippi River.  The tornado crossed the river one mile below the mouth of the Merrimac River.  The massive funnel crossed the rich alluvial plain called the "American Bottom (which ran for 80 miles from Alton to Kaskaskia).  Fish from the river were "scattered all over the prairie" on the Illinois side.  Some pine tree tops were identified as having been carried at least 50 miles from eastern Missouri to American Bottom, for none of that species grew any closer than that distance.  Clothes from one destroyed home were carried 8 miles.  The start of the event was in unsettled territory in Missouri.  The eastern-most documented damaged was in Edwards County, IL, where settlers had moved W from the Wabash River.  In central Illinois, the 3/4 mile wide swath of downed trees was a major obstacle for early pioneers.  A straight line from the above points would place the path directly over Mt. Vernon.   

Formed near Cadet in Washington County and moved NE, passing through the far NW part of St. Francois County before moving into Jefferson County.  Deaths were on farms near Valles Mines.  Tornado and microburst damage was estimated to farms and lead mine facilities.

This was likely a series of tornadoes from one thunderstorm that moved across Texas, Dent, Crawford, Washington, and St. Francois Counties before dissipating over Jefferson County near Valles Mines.  A total of 10 people were killed and 100 injured from this tornado.  The tornado produced damage near Melzo and Valles Mines.  Given the rural and forested nature of the area, the tornado's maximum intensity was probably not experienced by any buildings.  

A series of tornadoes from one thunderstorm that moved across Dent, Crawford, Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe (IL) Counties.  A dozen homes were unroofed or destroyed SW and S of Hillsboro.  This tornado killed 1 person, injured 18 others, and caused a total of $150,000 in property damage.

Tornado passed S and E of DeSoto and was observed by several witnesses.  Damage to roofs of homes, barns, and trees.

Funnel observed just E of Highway 61, S of Festus-Crystal City.   Heavy damage to farm buildings and trees.

A deputy sheriff on severe storm patrol observed a "triangular-shaped" pendant cloud moving from WNW to SSE about 1 mile SE of House Springs uprooting trees on hilltops only.  In an area along route MM from 2 to 2 1/2 southeast of Houses Springs the tornado completely destroyed one home and damaged four others.

A small tornado destroyed one house and caused minor damage to several others.  

A tornado touched down in the Maxville-Arnold area of NE Jefferson County destroying one barn, one home, and severely damaging eight others.  

A small tornado caused damage to homes, barns, sheds, and timber along an intermittent path from a point on Route WW 0.4 mile NW of Fletcher, through the Lake Ware area and Ware, to a point 2.75 miles W of Hillsboro.   This damage path ends about 30 miles SW of some subsequent tornado damage in Illinois.

A tornado formed in a wooded area near the intersection of Route WW and the Brown Ford Road, 2 miles east of the junction of Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin Counties (3 miles N and 0.5 mile west of Fletcher).  Intermittent damage occurred to heavily timbered areas and to 4 farms to a point just E of the intersection of Route C and the Reynolds Creek Road (5 miles W and 0.5 N of Hillsboro). 

Tornado touched down near Cedar Hills and House Springs with no damage reported.

A small tornado touched down briefly 8 miles SSE of DeSoto.  This report came from the highway patrol.  Trees were downed in the area and the storm was supported by weather radar.

A tornado traveling ENE at tree-top level first damaged the Westowne Trailer Court in Festus, moving one mobile home 10 feet from its supports, tearing off roofs, breaking 53 windows, tearing apart metal sheds, and bending, and ripping gas lights from the ground.  It then moved over Main St., uprooting trees, breaking windows, bending TV and CB antennas, and tearing off roofs.  A Kentucky Fried Chicken sign was smashed into Westowne Styling Center.  The last sign of damage was at Hug's Landing in Crystal City where several windows were broken a the water treatment plant and extensive damage was down to the dog pound next door.

A tornado touched down briefly between House Springs and Cedar Hill.

Numerous large trees were uprooted or snapped at the base when a small tornado touched down initially W of Cedar Hill. The tornado moved rapidly E and uplifted the roof of a small business complex located near the intersection of Highway 30 and County Road BB. A florist shop also experienced minor roof damage. Two nearby buildings also sustained minor roof damage and numerous large trees were knocked down. 

A small tornado touched down causing roof damage to a large lumber storage building along Highway 21. Large trees were uprooted or snapped at the base as the tornado approached Antonia. A barn was also damaged

A tornado touched down in Barnhart and nearly destroyed two mobile homes and heavily damaged five homes in a subdivision. Power poles were snapped off near the track with nearby trees uprooted or snapped off at the base. As the tornado moved NNE, it crossed County Road M and traveled along Highways 61-67 damaging the roof of a modern one story brick building. Several other homes had roof damage and a car dealership reported broken
automobile windows from debris. Before lifting, the tornado damaged five other homes near Kimmswick and one mobile home, but no injuries were reported

A small tornado touched down briefly damaging a small area of power poles and trees.

A spotter reported a brief touchdown in a wooded area near the Jefferson-St.Francois county line.

A tornado touched down 6 miles SW of Festus, where a high tension power pole, power lines, and several large trees were downed.  This tornado continued along old County Road A while damaging numerous trees, sheds, and roofs.  The tornado then crossed over I-55 and damaged 4 homes in the Brookshire subdivision before crossing over Highway 61 between Herculaneum and Festus.  Before the storm had lifted, just SE of Herculaneum, it struck an apartment complex and caused minor roof damage.

A small tornado occurred along Highway WW near the Franklin, Washington, and Jefferson County line. This brief tornado downed and mangled trees along a short path which was about 50 yards wide.

A small tornado formed along a bowing thunderstorm causing tree damage just south of DeSoto High School.

A small tornado hit the Raintree Plantation northwest of Hillsboro. Three homes suffered minor roof damage, a boat dock was damaged, and trees and power lines were down.

G - Grazulis, T. P., 1993: Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991.  A Chronology and Analysis of Events. Environmental Films, Tornado Project, St. Johsnbury, VT.
SD - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1959-2004: Storm Data. Vols. 1-46, Nos. 1-12, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC.
SPC - Storm Prediction Center Database