The February 24, 1956 tornado

F4Franklin, St. Louis, St. Clair and Clinton counties, Illinois and Missouri

An F4 tornado on a 77.6-mile path that killed 6 and injured 36. It was one of 6 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · February 24, 1956

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 77.6 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 500 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 77.6 mi; Width up to 500 yards
Killed: 6; Along the whole path
Injured: 36; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, February 24, 1956; 11:45 PM CST
That day: 6; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.