“Few other phenomena can form and vanish so quickly, leave behind such misery, and still be seen as beautiful,” writes Thomas Grazulis, an American meteorologist and author. Tornadoes are a unique phenomena, and not one uncommon to the areas highlighted in this tour. Indeed, the Midwest is no stranger to the occasional tornado; however, what happened on April 3-4, 1974 was unheard of. In total, 148 tornadoes traveled over 2,598 miles–13 states and one Canadian province–injuring more than 6,000 and killing 335 in less than twenty-four hours. Of those 13 states, president Richard Nixon declared 10 disaster zones. Aside from the massive loss experienced by nearly 27,000 families across the nation, the Super Outbreak is paramount to meteorological development as well. Immediately following the disaster, a group of researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that massive unpreparedness across the southern and midwestern states was the leading cause of death and injury. Due to their findings, many of the tornado preparedness protocols we are familiar with today were created. Because of the 1974 Super Outbreak, schools are required to have tornado drills once a month during tornado season (April-May; August-October). Tornado sirens have been implemented in cities throughout the United States, and due to the National Weather Service’s updated radar technology and expansive radio system, the sirens can warn residents well in advance of incoming potential danger.

This tour stretches beyond the state boundaries of Indiana. The Super Outbreak was not exclusive to Indiana, and all of its neighboring states were affected, some more than others. To fully understand this story, we must recognize that state lines do not always define a historical event.