NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Developed 4 miles NW of Griggsville and moved NNE passing west of Perry before moving into Brown County.  It unroofed a house on the S edge of New Salem.  This tornado injured a total of 2 people.

This major tornadic event is often cited as having the longest path length of any tornado (293 miles in Illinois and Indiana for 7 hours and 20 minutes).  There is overwhelming evidence that this long track was made up of at least 4 and probably 8 or more individual tornadoes.  The first tornado touched down 2 miles E of Nebo and moved due E into Greene County.  This tornado killed at total of 101 people and injured 638.  The maximum intensity was in Mattoon.

Developed over Pike County, MO and crossed the Mississippi River near Louisiana.  The tornado quickly dissipated after it move into Illinois.  Three people were injured in MO.

Formed over Ralls County, MO and moved through Marion County, MO before crossing the Mississippi River into IL.  In Levee Township, barns and sheds were destroyed on 3 farms.  The tornado caused a total of 12 injuries.

Followed an intermittent path from SE of Barry to Pittsfield.  A radio station was unroofed and had some concrete block walls partly downed.

Followed an intermittent path form E of Rockport, passing near Summer Hill, N of Martinsburg, and near Milton.  A woman was injured as a home was destroyed near Rockport.  A drive-in theater "was 'Gone With the Wind' at Summer Hill".

Tornado developed near Kinderhook and moved E into Scott County.  Heaviest damage and 3 injuries were in Scott County.

Tornado touched down in Marion County, MO and moved NE through far northwestern Pike County before moving into Adams County.  Heaviest damage and injuries were in other counties.

A tornado made a brief touchdown E of Lake Pittsfield.    No significant path or damage was reported.

Brief tornado touchdown reported south of Florence near the Scott County line.

The State Police reported a small tornado touched down briefly just west of Griggsville. Damage was limited to a few downed trees.

The State Police reported a small tornado touched down briefly just west of Griggsville. Damage was limited to a few downed trees.

The Annada, MO tornado, which crossed Calhoun County, IL, then continued NE crossing into southeastern Pike County, IL west of Bee Creek. The tornado downed hundreds of trees as it tracked northeast to near Pearl. Here, part of the roof of a company was blown off causing at least $150,000 in damage. One home suffered roof damage, a barn was destroyed and several outbuildings damaged. At another home, windows on 3 sides were blown out and a trampoline was blown about 300 feet away.

After forming on the north side of Louisiana, MO, a tornado crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois and first caused damage to a boat dock along US 54. The tornado tracked NE along US 54 destroying a barn and downing trees. The damage along the rest of the path was somewhat intermittent. Trees were downed and an occasional farm building damaged. Significant damage was noted as the tornado tracked NE from Pittsfield. Just east of Pittsfield, two farms suffered damage. Three barns were destroyed, an equipment building heavily damaged and a grain bin destroyed. About 5 miles ENE of Pittsfield a home lost part of its roof and numerous trees were damaged. The last area of significant damage in Pike County was NE of Detroit. One home lost its roof, a barn was destroyed and 2 grain bins damaged. Numerous large trees in this area were snapped off at the base.

A sheriff deputy reported a brief tornado in an open field near Chambersburg.

A small tornado downed trees northeast of Milton before crossing the Illinois River into Scott County.

A small tornado downed trees southeast of Milton before crossing the Illinois River into Scott County.

A small tornado hit the south side of the Rockport area. The roof of the Post Office was heavily damaged and several trees were downed.

A small tornado flattened corn and damaged trees just west and east of Highway 96 north of Rockport.

A tornado traveled through rural areas south of New Hartford uprooting and downing trees.

A tornado uprooted and mangled trees near the Sunny Hill area.

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. 1-426 Nos. 1-12, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC.
SPC - Storm Prediction Center Database