Powerful 1959 St. Louis Tornado Remembered

The devastating F-4 twister struck the city with little warning 67 years ago.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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On February 10, 1959, a powerful F-4 tornado tore through St. Louis, Missouri, causing widespread damage and loss of life with little to no advance warning. The tornado was one of the strongest to ever hit the city, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Why it matters

The 1959 St. Louis tornado remains one of the most impactful weather events in the city's history, serving as a stark reminder of the need for improved tornado forecasting and preparedness measures to protect residents from the devastating effects of such powerful storms.

The details

The tornado struck the city early in the morning, catching many residents off guard. It carved a path of destruction over 1 mile wide, leveling homes, businesses, and other structures in its path. Hundreds were injured, and the final death toll reached over 20 people.

  • The tornado struck St. Louis on February 10, 1959, in the early morning hours.
  • The tornado was classified as an F-4 on the Fujita scale, indicating winds between 207-260 mph.

The players

St. Louis, Missouri

The city that was devastated by the powerful 1959 tornado.

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What’s next

Meteorologists and disaster preparedness experts continue to study the 1959 St. Louis tornado to better understand how to predict and respond to such powerful storms in the future.

The takeaway

The 1959 St. Louis tornado serves as a sobering reminder of the immense power and destruction that tornadoes can unleash, and the critical importance of early warning systems and disaster preparedness efforts to protect vulnerable communities.