1967 St. Louis Tornado Outbreak
Encyclopedia
The 1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak was the rare winter outbreak that occurred on January 24, 1967. Thirty-two tornadoes broke out from Oklahoma
to Wisconsin
. Fourteen tornadoes struck Iowa
, nine in Missouri
, eight in Illinois
, and one in Wisconsin
.
This outbreak broke a major record. The lone F3 tornado reported in Wisconsin was the farthest north in the United States
that a tornado had ever occurred in January at the time. This would later happen again on January 7, 2008 when several tornadoes hit southeastern Wisconsin with a similar system. This outbreak is also possibly the farthest north a tornado outbreak has occurred in the winter.
The tornadoes broke ahead of a deep storm system. Several temperature records were broken in the Midwest on this day. One of the most notable tornadoes struck St. Louis County, Missouri
where three people were killed and 216 were injured. The tornado ranked at F4 on the Fujita scale
.
Two more tornadoes were reported in Newton County and Jasper County
in southwestern Missouri just after midnight on January 26.
The next day thunderstorms produced sleet, freezing rain, and snow in St. Louis. Three days later, on January 27, a blizzard
crippled Chicago, dumping 23 inches (58 cm) of snow on the city.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
to Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Fourteen tornadoes struck Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, nine in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, eight in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and one in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
This outbreak broke a major record. The lone F3 tornado reported in Wisconsin was the farthest north in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that a tornado had ever occurred in January at the time. This would later happen again on January 7, 2008 when several tornadoes hit southeastern Wisconsin with a similar system. This outbreak is also possibly the farthest north a tornado outbreak has occurred in the winter.
The tornadoes broke ahead of a deep storm system. Several temperature records were broken in the Midwest on this day. One of the most notable tornadoes struck St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
where three people were killed and 216 were injured. The tornado ranked at F4 on the Fujita scale
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
.
Two more tornadoes were reported in Newton County and Jasper County
Jasper County, Missouri
Jasper County is a county located in the US state of Missouri. It is included in the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2010 total population of Jasper County was 117,404. It is the ninth most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Carthage, making it one of the few...
in southwestern Missouri just after midnight on January 26.
The next day thunderstorms produced sleet, freezing rain, and snow in St. Louis. Three days later, on January 27, a blizzard
Blizzard
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds. By definition, the difference between blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a snow storm must have winds in excess of with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or ¼ mile or...
crippled Chicago, dumping 23 inches (58 cm) of snow on the city.
Confirmed tornadoes
| F# Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... |
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| F2 | N of De Kalb De Kalb, Missouri De Kalb is a city in Buchanan County, Missouri, United States. The population was 257 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is part of the St... |
Buchanan Buchanan County, Missouri Buchanan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 89,201. Its county seat is Saint Joseph. When originally formed in 1838, the county was named Roberts County, after settler Hiram Roberts; it was renamed in 1839 for James Buchanan, then a U.S.... |
1750 | 6.1 miles (9.8 km) |
||
| F2 | NW of Lawson Lawson, Missouri Lawson is a city in Clay and Ray counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 2,473 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lawson is located at .... |
Clinton Clinton County, Missouri As of the census of 2000, there were 18,979 people, 7,152 households, and 5,299 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 7,877 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile... |
1835 | 2.5 miles (4 km) |
||
| F3 | SW of Buckner Buckner, Missouri Buckner is a city in Jackson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,725 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Buckner is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... to SW of Richmond Richmond, Kansas Richmond is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 510 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richmond is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Jackson Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan... , Ray |
1840 | 14.5 miles (23.2 km) |
2 deaths | |
| F0 | W of Polo Polo, Missouri Polo is a city in Caldwell County, Missouri, United States. The population was 582 at the 2000 census. Polo was founded by Abraham Stith in 1832.-Geography:Polo is located at .... |
Caldwell Caldwell County, Missouri Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. , the population was 8,969. Its county seat is Kingston. The county was organized in 1836 as a haven for the Mormons, who had been previously driven from Jackson County, Missouri in November of 1833 and had been refugees in... |
1850 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
||
| F0 | E of Sturges | Livingston | 2000 | 0.1 mile (0.16 km) |
||
| F1 | SW of Pennville | Sullivan Sullivan County, Missouri Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. In 2010, the population was 6,714. Its county seat is Milan.-History:Sullivan County, Missouri encompasses of high glaciated prairie covered by steep rolling hills and numerous creeks and streams in north central Missouri... |
2020 | 7.3 miles (11.7 km) |
||
| F4 | SE of Queen City, MO Queen City, Missouri Queen City is a city in Schuyler County, Missouri, United States. The population was 598 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kirksville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... to SE of Pulaski, IA Pulaski, Iowa Pulaski is a city in Davis County, Iowa, United States. The population was 249 at the 2000 census.- Corn Show :The Pulaski Corn Show, held annually on a September weekend, is a citywide celebration with a parade.-Geography:... |
Schuyler, MO, Scotland, Davis, IA Davis County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,753 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,600 housing units, of which 3,201 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2045 | 25.7 miles (41.1 km) |
||
| F1 | SW of Glendale Glendale, Missouri Glendale is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,925 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glendale is located at .... |
Putnam | 2045 | 2.5 miles (4 km) |
||
| F4 | NE of Chesterfield Chesterfield, Missouri Chesterfield is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis and is the largest city in west St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population is 47,484. Chesterfield also celebrated its 20th birthday in 2008.- Geography :... to NE of Spanish Lake Spanish Lake, Missouri Spanish Lake is a census-designated place in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 19,650 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Spanish Lake is located at .... |
St. Louis St. Louis County, Missouri St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all... |
0055 | 25 miles (40 km) |
3 deaths | |
| Iowa Iowa Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New... |
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| F3 | N of Selma Selma, Iowa Selma is an unincorporated community in northwestern Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. It lies along Iowa Highway 16 northwest of the city of Keosauqua, the county seat of Van Buren County. Its elevation is 617 feet . Although Selma is unincorporated, it has a post office with the ZIP... |
Van Buren | 2115 | 25 miles (40 km) |
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| F1 | Washington Washington, Iowa Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,047 at the 2000 census.-History:... area |
Washington | 2145 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
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| F0 | N of Winfield Winfield, Iowa Winfield is a city in Henry County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,131 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Winfield is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Henry Henry County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,145 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,280 housing units, of which 7,666 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2150 | 0.1 mile (0.16 km) |
||
| F2 | N of Fredonia Fredonia, Iowa Fredonia is a city in Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 251 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Fredonia is located at .... |
Louisa Louisa County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2200 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
||
| F3 | SW of Wever Wever, Iowa Wever is an unincorporated community in northeastern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 61 northeast of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 561 feet . Although Wever is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of... |
Lee Lee County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 35,862 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,205 housing units, of which 14,610 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2215 | 4.3 miles (6.9 km) |
1 death | |
| F2 | NE of Wever Wever, Iowa Wever is an unincorporated community in northeastern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 61 northeast of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 561 feet . Although Wever is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of... |
Lee Lee County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 35,862 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,205 housing units, of which 14,610 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2220 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
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| F2 | NE of Cairo | Louisa Louisa County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2220 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
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| F2 | S of Wheatland Wheatland, Iowa Wheatland is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 772 at the 2000 census.-History:Wheatland was platted in 1858 under the leadership of John Bennett. The town was named for President James Buchanan's estate 'Wheatlands' in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Bennett being an... |
Clinton Clinton County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2245 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
||
| F2 | N of Dixon Dixon, Iowa Dixon is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 276 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dixon is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Scott Scott County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2250 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
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| F2 | N of Davenport Davenport, Iowa Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk... |
Scott Scott County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2311 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
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| F2 | NW of Elvira Elvira, Iowa Elvira is an unincorporated community in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. It falls within the Clinton zip code .... |
Clinton Clinton County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2315 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
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| F2 | S of Tenmile | Clinton Clinton County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2315 | 0.1 mile (0.16 km) |
||
| Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... |
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| F2 | N of Biggsville Biggsville, Illinois Biggsville is a village in Henderson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 343 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Burlington, IA–IL Micropolitan Statistical Area... |
Henderson | 2240 | 5.7 miles (9.1 km) |
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| F3 | Mount Carroll Mount Carroll, Illinois Mount Carroll is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States-History:Shimer College was established in Mt. Carroll in 1853, but mounting debts forced a move to Waukegan, Illinois in 1979. The campus now is home to several organizations, most notably the Campbell Center for Historic... area |
Carroll | 2330 | 7.4 miles (11.8 km) |
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| F1 | N of Sadora | Mason | 2330 | 4.5 miles (7.2 km) |
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| F3 | NE of Snicarte | Mason | 2330 | 5.1 miles (8.2 km) |
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| F2 | SW of Eureka Eureka, Illinois Eureka is a city in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,295 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Woodford County. The city was founded in the year 1855. Eureka is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
Tazewell Tazewell County, Illinois Tazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities... , Woodford |
0030 | 3.3 miles (5.3 km) |
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| F2 | S of Virden Virden, Illinois Virden is a city in Macoupin and Sangamon counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 3,488 at the 2000 census, and 3,338 at a 2009 estimate.... |
Macoupin Macoupin County, Illinois Macoupin County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 47,765, which is a decrease of 2.6% from 49,019 in 2000. The county seat is Carlinville. Macoupin County is an outlying county of the Metro-East region... |
0050 | 2.5 miles (4 km) |
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| F2 | NW of Metamora Metamora, Illinois Metamora is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,700 at the 2000 census. Metamora is a growing suburb of Peoria and is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
Woodford | 0050 | 2.5 miles (4 km) |
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| F2 | Champaign-Urbana area | Champaign Champaign County, Illinois Champaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois... |
0240 | 10.4 miles (16.6 km) |
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| Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... |
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| F3 | S of Brodhead Brodhead, Wisconsin Brodhead is a city in Green and Rock Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census. In February 2000, the city annexed a portion of land from the Town of Spring Valley in Rock County.-History:... to NE of Janesville Janesville, Wisconsin Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:... |
Green Green County, Wisconsin Green County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 33,647. Its county seat is Monroe.-Geography:According to the U.S... , Rock Rock County, Wisconsin -Unincorporated communities:-Further reading:* . Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.... |
0010 | 24.9 miles (39.8 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - January 24, 1967 Storm Data | ||||||
See also
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornado-related deaths at schools
- January 2008 tornado outbreak sequenceJanuary 2008 tornado outbreak sequence-January 7 event:-January 8 event:-January 10 event:-January 11 event:-Non-tornadic events:The storm system was also responsible for heavy flooding rains across much of the Midwest from Michigan to Missouri as well as dense fog across Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec which was caused by rapid snow...
- Similar rare tornado outbreak in January in the Midwest