Event narrative (NOAA)
The second Jefferson County tornado first formed about 9:42 pm CST about 8.5 miles south southeast of Festus, near Interstate 55 where it sheared off the tops of several trees. The tornado then hit a small subdivision on the east side of the highway destroying three homes. The tornado crossed Highway 61 and destroyed another home and caused one minor injury. The tornado continued northeast causing minor to moderate damage to homes and outbuildings. At it approached the Mississippi River, the tornado blew down two high power electric transmission towers. It then crossed the river into Monroe County Illinois. The Jefferson County portion of the tornado track was about 3.1 miles with a maximum width of 200 yards and a F3 rating.
Other notable tornado events in Missouri
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.