NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Developed over the NE part of Reynolds County and moved through Iron County before dissipating in St. Francois County.  Several homes near "Munger" were destroyed and 4 people killed.   A total of 7 people were killed and 25 injured along the path of this tornado.

Developed W of Ellington and moved NE in Iron County.  Two homes and a barn were destroyed on the N side of Ellington.

The start of the Great Tri State Tornado that killed 695 people, injured 2027, and $16,500,000 in property damage started 3 miles NNW of Ellington.  Shortly after developing, it killed a farmer.  It then quickly moved NE into Iron and Madison County before moving through parts of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana.  While F2 was probably the maximum damage caused in Reynolds County, this tornado did caused F5 damage later in its path.  It is widely accepted that this was likely a series of tornadoes instead of one long tracked tornado.

Major damage done by one tornado that moved from near Van Buren (Carter County)  to Garwood then into northern Wayne County.    Many homes and farm buildings were damaged along the entire path with a total of 26 injuries.

A small tornado touched down to unroof a residence and injure a child on the NE edge of Ellington and then moved NE destroying or damaging barns and outbuildings on 6 farms along Route K.  The final damage point was on  a farm in the Sinking Creek Bottoms 6 miles NE of Ellington.  In wooded areas the damage path was described as "It looked as if someone had raked the leaves from the forest floor".

A tornado described as a double vortex cloud passed through the Garwood area.  Five homes were partly destroyed and several barns and outbuildings were also destroyed.

A tornado destroyed several barns and damaged a few houses.  The Reynolds County Sheriff reported large trees downed.

The Reynolds County Sheriff reported a brief tornado north of Ellington. The tornado hit a wooded area and uprooted several trees.

Severe storm spotters reported a brief tornado southeast of Ellington. Damage was limited to a few uprooted trees.

A small tornado downed some trees and caused damage at an electric substation.

A small tornado hit the Redford area  Several structures suffered minor damage, primarily roof shingles and siding blown off.  One garage and 2 barns also suffered roof damage.

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