# 1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak

A wintertime tornado outbreak affected the Midwestern United States on January 24, 1967. Of the 30 confirmed tornadoes, 13 occurred in Iowa, nine in Missouri, seven in Illinois, and one in Wisconsin. The outbreak produced, at the time, the northernmost tornado to hit the United States in winter, in Wisconsin, until January 7, 2008. The tornadoes formed ahead of a deep storm system in which several temperature records were broken. The deadliest and most damaging tornado of the outbreak struck Greater St. Louis at F4 intensity, killing three people and injuring 216.

## Background

On Tuesday, January 24, 1967, a negatively tilted trough bisected the Midwestern United States. As a cold front traversed the Upper Midwest, a line of intermittent, tornado-producing supercells developed.

## Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating :
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
| 0 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 30* |
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
Color/symbol key :
| Color / symbol | Description |
| † | Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b |
| ¶ | Data from a local National Weather Service office |
| ※ | Data from the 1967 Storm Data publication |
| ‡ | Data from the NCEI database |
| ♯ | Maximum width of tornado |
| ± | Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable. |
* Along with the 30 confirmed tornadoes listed, tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis listed two additional F2 tornadoes that may have touched down.
** The first occurred west of Muscatine, Muscatine County, Iowa, at 22:30 UTC, unroofing and tearing apart a house. It was officially listed as a severe thunderstorm wind in Storm Data.
** The other occurred on the southern outskirts of Illinois City, Rock Island County, Illinois, at an unknown time, damaging homes before ripping the roof off a farmhouse. It was officially listed as part of a complex of severe thunderstorm winds in Storm Data.
List of confirmed tornadoes in the tornado outbreak of January 24, 1967 :
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width |
| F2 | N of De Kalb to SSE of Lake Station | Buchanan | MO | 39°36′N 94°56′W﻿ / ﻿39.60°N 94.93°W﻿ / 39.60; -94.93﻿ (De Kalb (January 24, F2)) | 17:50–? | 6.1 mi (9.8 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| This strong tornado affected 12 or more farmsteads. It destroyed a concrete barn, along with assorted outbuildings and other barns. Homes lost their roofs, along with some walls. Losses totaled $250,000. ||||||||
| F2 | E of Haynesville to S of Barnesville | Clinton | MO | 39°27′N 94°14′W﻿ / ﻿39.45°N 94.23°W﻿ / 39.45; -94.23﻿ (Haynesville (January 24, F2)) | 18:35–? | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| This strong but relatively brief tornado developed 1 mi (1.6 km) west of the junction of Missouri Supplemental Route PP and U.S. Route 69. As it headed northeast, it struck five farmsteads, extensively damaging outbuildings on a few of them. Losses totaled $25,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. ||||||||
| F3 | SSE of Lake City to Northwestern Buckner to NE of Albany | Jackson, Ray | MO | 39°06′N 94°15′W﻿ / ﻿39.10°N 94.25°W﻿ / 39.10; -94.25﻿ (Lake City (January 24, F3)) | 18:40–19:00 | 14.5 mi (23.3 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| 2 deaths – This intense tornado first developed over the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, 3 mi (4.8 km) from Buckner. Tracking northeastward, it first produced a narrow, spasmodic swath of structural damage, skirting Buckner and passing east of Sibley. As it neared Orrick, the tornado widened and intensified, striking Orrick High School while at maximum intensity. Part of a roof at the school collapsed, killing two students underneath. Two homes were destroyed and another lost its second story. Barns and outbuildings were leveled along the path. 18 people were injured and losses totaled $5 million. ||||||||
| F0 | SE of Polo | Caldwell | MO | 39°33′N 94°03′W﻿ / ﻿39.55°N 94.05°W﻿ / 39.55; -94.05﻿ (Polo (January 24, F0)) | 18:50–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Losses totaled $25,000. ||||||||
| F0 | E of Sturges | Livingston | MO | 39°53′N 93°29′W﻿ / ﻿39.88°N 93.48°W﻿ / 39.88; -93.48﻿ (Sturges (January 24, F0)) | 20:00–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| Losses totaled $30. ||||||||
| F1 | W of Green City to N of Pennville | Sullivan | MO | 40°16′N 93°01′W﻿ / ﻿40.27°N 93.02°W﻿ / 40.27; -93.02﻿ (Green City (January 24, F1)) | 20:20–? | 7.3 mi (11.7 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| This tornado wrecked a number of outbuildings and a barn. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2. ||||||||
| F1 | Glendale to NW of Livonia | Putnam | MO | 40°29′N 92°46′W﻿ / ﻿40.48°N 92.77°W﻿ / 40.48; -92.77﻿ (Glendale (January 24, F1)) | 20:45–? | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Moving generally northeastward, this tornado developed near the junction of Missouri Route 149 and U.S. Route 136. Losses totaled $2,500. ||||||||
| F4 | ESE of Queen City, MO to ESE of Pulaski, IA | Schuyler (MO), Scotland (MO), Davis (IA) | MO, IA | 40°24′N 92°32′W﻿ / ﻿40.40°N 92.53°W﻿ / 40.40; -92.53﻿ (Queen City (January 24, F4)) | 20:45–? | 25.7 mi (41.4 km) | 440 yd (400 m) |
| This violent tornado damaged or destroyed numerous outbuildings and barns on 24 farmsteads. Five of the farmsteads were destroyed, two of which had every structure leveled, including the farmhouse. A total of approximately 20 other farms were damaged as well. Two people were injured and losses totaled $2,525,000. Most of the path and the F4-level damage were in Missouri. Only a 2-mile-long (3.2 km) segment continued into Iowa, with F1-level damage. ||||||||
| F3 | S of Douds to E of Fairfield | Van Buren, Jefferson | IA | 40°52′N 92°05′W﻿ / ﻿40.87°N 92.08°W﻿ / 40.87; -92.08﻿ (Douds (January 24, F3)) | 21:15–? | 25 mi (40 km) | 400 yd (370 m) |
| This intense tornado produced sporadic damage. It badly damaged several homes, some of which lost roofs and walls. Barns and outbuildings were destroyed as well. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2. The NCEI only lists a single coordinate, north of Douds. ||||||||
| F1 | Western Washington | Washington | IA | 41°18′N 91°42′W﻿ / ﻿41.30°N 91.70°W﻿ / 41.30; -91.70﻿ (Washington (January 24, F1)) | 21:45–? | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| Losses totaled $2,500. ||||||||
| F0 | N of Winfield | Henry | IA | 41°09′N 91°26′W﻿ / ﻿41.15°N 91.43°W﻿ / 41.15; -91.43﻿ (Winfield (January 24, F0)) | 21:50–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| Losses totaled $250,000. ||||||||
| F2 | SW of Columbus City | Louisa | IA | 41°18′N 91°22′W﻿ / ﻿41.30°N 91.37°W﻿ / 41.30; -91.37﻿ (Columbus City (January 24, F2)) | 22:00–? | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 250 yd (230 m) |
| Losses totaled $30. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The NCEI lists the path as occurring north of Fredonia and extending into Muscatine County. ||||||||
| F3 | N of Fort Madison to S of Wever (1st tornado) | Lee | IA | 40°40′N 91°19′W﻿ / ﻿40.67°N 91.32°W﻿ / 40.67; -91.32﻿ (Fort Madison (January 24, F3)) | 22:15–? | 4.3 mi (6.9 km) | 300 yd (270 m) |
| 1 death – This intense tornado destroyed a pair of homes, one of which only had a single wall left standing. Six people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. ||||||||
| F2 | S of Wever (2nd tornado) to N of Skunk River | Lee | IA | 40°42′N 91°14′W﻿ / ﻿40.70°N 91.23°W﻿ / 40.70; -91.23﻿ (Wever (January 24, F2)) | 22:20–? | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| This strong tornado crossed the Skunk River near Wever. Homes had their roofs torn off and barns were wrecked. Trailers were destroyed as well, injuring four people. Losses totaled $250,000. ||||||||
| F2 | ENE of Cairo | Louisa | IA | 41°12′N 91°17′W﻿ / ﻿41.20°N 91.28°W﻿ / 41.20; -91.28﻿ (Cairo (January 24, F2)) | 22:20–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| This strong tornado tore loose a wall from a house and tossed an automobile against the home. A nearby barn was destroyed as well. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. ||||||||
| F2 | ESE of Gladstone to W of Reeds | Henderson | IL | 40°51′N 90°56′W﻿ / ﻿40.85°N 90.93°W﻿ / 40.85; -90.93﻿ (Gladstone (January 24, F2)) | 22:40–22:50 | 5.7 mi (9.2 km) | 77 yd (70 m) |
| This tornado, while mostly affecting treetops, unroofed or otherwise damaged many outbuildings and barns. At least one barn was flattened, six utility poles splintered, and a farm shorn of all its outbuildings. Losses totaled $25,000. The tornado passed north of Biggsville. ||||||||
| F2 | S of Wheatland | Clinton | IA | 41°48′N 90°50′W﻿ / ﻿41.80°N 90.83°W﻿ / 41.80; -90.83﻿ (Wheatland (January 24, F2)) | 22:45–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. ||||||||
| F2 | NNE of Dixon | Clinton | IA | 41°47′N 90°46′W﻿ / ﻿41.78°N 90.77°W﻿ / 41.78; -90.77﻿ (Dixon (January 24, F2)) | 22:50–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 143 yd (131 m) |
| Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. Storm Data indicates that the tornado occurred near Calamus. ||||||||
| F2 | Southern Eldridge | Scott | IA | 41°37′N 90°35′W﻿ / ﻿41.62°N 90.58°W﻿ / 41.62; -90.58﻿ (Eldridge (January 24, F2)) | 23:11–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 250 yd (230 m) |
| This strong tornado touched down just west of Mount Joy. It hurled an automobile and a truck from a roadway. Homes sustained breakage of their windows and barns were wrecked. Losses totaled $250,000. ||||||||
| F2 | NW of Elvira | Clinton | IA | 41°52′N 90°22′W﻿ / ﻿41.87°N 90.37°W﻿ / 41.87; -90.37﻿ (Elvira (January 24, F2)) | 23:15–? | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. ||||||||
| F2 | NE of Tenmile | Clinton | IA | 41°57′N 90°20′W﻿ / ﻿41.95°N 90.33°W﻿ / 41.95; -90.33﻿ (Tenmile (January 24, F2)) | 23:15–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Several barns, a warehouse, and a Granger Hall were destroyed. Homes nearby had their roofs torn off. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado may have developed near Bryant. Storm Data listed a 5-mile-long (8.0 km) path. ||||||||
| F3 | E of Burke to NE of Mount Carroll | Carroll | IL | 42°03′N 90°02′W﻿ / ﻿42.05°N 90.03°W﻿ / 42.05; -90.03﻿ (Burke (January 24, F3)) | 23:30–? | 7.4 mi (11.9 km) | 77 yd (70 m) |
| This intense tornado destroyed three homes on the northwestern side of Mount Carroll, one of which it impacted at borderline-F4 intensity. Roofing, outbuildings, and barns incurred extensive damage as well. 12 people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the time of occurrence as 22:40 UTC. ||||||||
| F1 | WSW of Saidora to NNE of White City | Mason | IL | 40°06′N 90°10′W﻿ / ﻿40.10°N 90.17°W﻿ / 40.10; -90.17﻿ (Saidora (January 24, F1)) | 23:30–? | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 30 yd (27 m) |
| This tornado paralleled the following event, just 3 mi (4.8 km) away. Outbuildings, a hangar, and trees were destroyed or extensively damaged. An airplane was damaged as well. One person was injured. Losses were unknown. Storm Data attributed the sole injury to the next event. ||||||||
| F3 | S of Snicarte to SE of Bluff City | Mason | IL | 40°07′N 90°13′W﻿ / ﻿40.12°N 90.22°W﻿ / 40.12; -90.22﻿ (Snicarte (January 24, F3)) | 23:30–? | 5.1 mi (8.2 km) | 80 yd (73 m) |
| 1 death – This intense tornado destroyed rural homes and outbuildings. Three people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. The body of the dead was tossed 200 yd (600 ft). Storm Data stated that the path was only 1 mi (1.6 km) long. ||||||||
| F3 | S of Brodhead to SE of Milton | Green, Rock | WI | 42°36′N 89°22′W﻿ / ﻿42.60°N 89.37°W﻿ / 42.60; -89.37﻿ (Brodhead (January 24, F3)) | 00:10–00:40 | 24.9 mi (40.1 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| This intense but intermittent tornado wrecked a number of barns. A country club was stripped of its roof and a pair of walls as well. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2. At the time the tornado was the northernmost wintertime tornado on record in the contiguous United States. ||||||||
| F2 | ENE of Cooper to WSW of Cruger | Tazewell, Woodford | IL | 40°40′N 89°23′W﻿ / ﻿40.67°N 89.38°W﻿ / 40.67; -89.38﻿ (Cooper (January 24, F2)) | 00:30–? | 3.3 mi (5.3 km) | 77 yd (70 m) |
| This strong tornado snapped and felled trees. Roofing and outbuildings were damaged as well. Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. ||||||||
| F2 | S of Virden | Macoupin | IL | 39°29′N 89°46′W﻿ / ﻿39.48°N 89.77°W﻿ / 39.48; -89.77﻿ (Virden (January 24, F2)) | 00:50–? | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| This tornado flipped a home upside down and shifted another. In all about 100 homes were damaged to varying degrees. Most of the damage was to roofing or from fallen trees. Several trailers were damaged as well, and a few grain bins were moved 200–440 yd (600–1,320 ft). Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. ||||||||
| F2 | NW of Metamora | Woodford | IL | | 00:50– | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) | |
| F4 | NE of Chesterfield to NE of Spanish Lake | St. Louis | MO | | 00:55– | 25 mi (40 km) | |
| 3 deaths – See section on this tornado ||||||||
| F2 | Champaign–Urbana | Champaign | IL | | 02:40– | 10.4 mi (16.7 km) | |
| A trailer was destroyed and scattered, two others were overturned, and two more were damaged. One house had its roof torn off. ||||||||

### Northern Chesterfield–Maryland Heights–St. Ann–Lambert Field–Spanish Lake, Missouri

Tornado moved through the St. Louis suburbs striking Maryland Heights, St.Ann, Lambert Field, and Spanish Lake. 168 homes were destroyed and 1740 others were damaged. Some of the homes were leveled. A nursing home was also badly damaged.