INDIANAPOLIS — Fifty years ago on April 3rd, 1974, Indiana was part of the worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history. In total, 148 tornadoes swept across 13 states. Three hundred thirty-five people were killed. History remembers this as the Super Outbreak of 1974.
![1974 Tornado Knightstown](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0118e89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1080+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F73%2F21%2F280058f74cb2afe289ed6fb05bec%2Fscreen-shot-2024-04-01-at-1-32-11-pm.jpg)
Of the 21 tornadoes to hit the Hoosier State, the “Monticello” F-4 tornado was among the worst. The half-mile-wide tornado traveled 109 miles across 8 counties. Nearly 20 Hoosiers were killed. Winds along the path of the tornado ranged from 207 to 260 mph.
![Super outbreak 1974](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aab4c3e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1903x1072+0+0/resize/1280x721!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa5%2Fb1%2Fe908e3fe49ffb2941bac166efa4c%2Fscreen-shot-2024-04-01-at-1-29-27-pm.jpg)
The Super Outbreak of 1974 also produced the strongest tornadoes in Indiana history. Three F-5 tornadoes hit southern Indiana with winds over 260 mph.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is commemorating the tragic outbreak with a new website filled with historical records and stories of survival.
Visitors can also view an interactive map showing the paths of each tornado to hit the Hoosier state.