The December 18, 1957 tornado

F4Jackson, Williamson and Franklin counties, Illinois

An F4 tornado on a 28.3-mile path that killed 11 and injured 200. It was one of 25 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 11 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of December 18, 1957: 25 tornadoes in 2 states

F4 tornado · December 18, 1957

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 28.3 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 300 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: 28.3 mi; Width up to 300 yards
Killed: 11; Along the whole path
Injured: 200; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, December 18, 1957; 4:45 PM CST
That day: 25; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Jefferson County1 killed
F5, Perry County1 killed

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