Viburnum-Potosi, MO F4 Tornado – December 21, 1967

An estimated F4 tornado moved through parts of Iron and Washington Counties in Missouri during the early AM of December 21, 1967.  It began south of Viburnum.  A house and house trailer was hit between Viburnum and Bixby and five were injured here.  Per the Storm Data entry, an aerial survey showed a continuous path from this damage location to the northeast passing southeast of Viburnum and to near Route Z, just south and east of Courtois and then continuing to the Quaker area.  The tornado traveled weakened in intensity near Quaker. Minor damage was observed in the Clark National Forest.

As the tornado moved toward Potosi, it strengthened again.  “Damage lowered from treetop levels to the ground level in a residential area on a ridge in southeast Potosi.”  Approximately two blocks to the northeast of this area, a portion of the Potosi business district was destroyed.  The City Hall, library, a large supermarket and a shopping center complex were hit.  The tornado hit a trailer court at Highways E and 21. Thirteen trailers were demolished. Nine-year-old Julia Hunter was killed here and 15 others were injured.