Tornadoes in St. Louis: History, Risk & Safety
St. Louis has one of the longest and deadliest tornado histories of any US city, including the catastrophic 1896 tornado that killed at least 255 people. Here is the story of tornadoes in the Gateway City.
At a glance
| Region | Eastern Missouri, Mississippi Valley |
|---|---|
| Peak season | March through June |
| Deadliest event | 27 May 1896 — 255+ killed |
| Overall risk | High |
The tornado risk in St. Louis
St. Louis lies where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet, in a corridor that funnels spring storm systems out of the Plains and into the Midwest. The metro area has been struck by major tornadoes repeatedly over more than a century, making it one of the most tornado-experienced large cities in the country.
Notable tornadoes in St. Louis history
27 May 1896 — one of the deadliest in US history
A violent tornado tore through St. Louis and across the river into East St. Louis, Illinois, killing at least 255 people and possibly many more. It devastated densely populated neighbourhoods and the riverfront, and ranks among the deadliest and costliest tornadoes in American history.
29 September 1927
A strong tornado struck the city on an unusual late-September afternoon, killing around 79 people and causing widespread destruction — a reminder that St. Louis's tornado threat is not limited to spring.
Modern strikes
The metro area has continued to see damaging tornadoes, including a Good Friday tornado that struck Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in April 2011, causing major damage but, remarkably, no deaths — a testament to modern warnings.
How tornado warnings reach St. Louis
Warnings for the St. Louis area are issued by the local National Weather Service forecast office and pushed through Wireless Emergency Alerts to mobile phones, NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and radio, and outdoor sirens where they exist. A tornado watch means conditions are favourable across a broad region; a tornado warning means one is imminent or occurring nearby and you should shelter immediately. Learn the difference on our watch versus warning guide.
Staying safe in St. Louis
Know your safe place before the season starts: a basement or storm shelter is best, otherwise a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. If you live in a mobile home, identify a sturdier building nearby, because manufactured homes offer little protection. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or phone alerts on during severe-weather setups, and never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle in congested areas. See the full tornado safety guide.
St. Louis in the bigger picture
Few cities illustrate the long arc of American tornado history like St. Louis, from the horrific 1896 disaster to the warning-saved 2011 airport strike. See the wider Missouri tornado history and how warning systems evolved.
Sources & further reading
- National Weather Service St. Louis records
- NOAA historical storm data
- Historical accounts of the 1896 and 1927 tornadoes
Historical details are drawn from public National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center, and NOAA records. Figures such as fatalities and ratings reflect widely published accounts and may be revised as records are re-analysed.