Monticello, Indiana 1974 Super Outbreak

a close-up of tornado tracks occurred in northern indiana

this half-mile (0.8 km) wide f4 tornado developed (as part of tornado family moved illinois michigan 260 miles) during late afternoon hours. tornado produced longest damage path recorded during 1974 super outbreak, on southwest northeast path crossed entire state of indiana. according records, tornado formed near otterbein in benton county in west central indiana noble county northwest of fort wayne – total distance of 121 miles (195 km). further analysis ted fujita indicated @ start of tornado path near otterbein, downburst winds (also called twisting downburst ) disrupted tornado s inflow caused briefly dissipate before redeveloping near brookston in white county @ around 4:50 pm edt , traveled 109 miles (175 km). struck portions of 6 other counties, hardest hit being white county , town of monticello. of town destroyed including courthouse, churches , cemeteries, 40 businesses , numerous homes 3 schools. heavily damaged penn central bridge on tippecanoe river. overall damage according noaa estimated @ us$250 million us$100 million damage in monticello alone.

after tornado struck monticello, tornado reached peak strength , leveled several farms northwest of town. tornado went on tear through west side of rochester, businesses destroyed , homes leveled , swept away. riddle elementary school badly damaged well. tornado struck talma, destroying of town, including fastening plant , schoolhouse. tornado continued northeast , struck south sides of atwood , leesburg, additional severe damage occurring @ both locations. tornado crossed dewart lake , lake wawasee, destroying multiple lakeside homes , trailers. wawasee airport hard hit, hangars destroyed , planes thrown , demolished. tornado destroyed several buildings passed between ligonier , topeka, including perry school , monsanto plant. train cars near plant blown off tracks , thrown building. tornado dissipated near oliver lake airfield.

a destroyed presbyterian church in monticello.

eighteen killed during storm including 5 fort wayne when mini-bus fell 50 feet (15 m) tippecanoe river near monticello. 1 passenger did survive fall. 5 others killed in white county, 6 in fulton county , 1 in kosciusko county. national guard had assisted residents in relief , cleanup efforts , then-governor otis bowen visited area days after storm. 1 of few consolations tornado century-old bronze bell belonged white county courthouse , served timekeeper found intact despite being thrown great distance. tornado had contradicted long-time myth tornado not follow terrain steep valleys while hitting monticello, descended 60-foot (18 m) hill near tippecanoe river , heavily damaged several homes afterwards.