A destructive and deadly outbreak of 17 tornadoes occurred on February 9–10, 1959, mostly during the overnight hours, causing widespread destruction in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. The strongest of the outbreak was a violent F4 tornado which tore through Northwestern Downtown St. Louis. An F3 tornado also caused heavy damage to numerous structures in Southern Highland County, Ohio, including a school that was in session at the time the tornado hit. Overall, the outbreak caused 21 fatalities (all in St. Louis), 358 injuries, and $53.713 million in damage. Non-tornadic impacts also caused two more fatalities, and at least 70 more injuries. Meteorological synopsis Early on February 7, a low-pressure system formed over Southeastern Oregon. This low strengthened as it moved slowly southeastward over the next two days before bottoming out at 992 mbars over Southwestern Colorado. It then accelerated tremendously as it turned eastward and then east-northeastward across the Central Plains. Meanwhile, an unusual surge of warm weather entered the Midwest in Early-February with temperatures climbing into the 60s across the region. The low-pressure system entered the area on February 9, spawning multiple clusters of severe thunderstorms over the Southern Great Plains. These storms would remain severe and tornadic throughout the overnight into the next day as the low-pressure moved quickly through the Great Lakes region. Confirmed tornadoes February 9 event February 10 event Crescent–Northwestern Downtown St. Louis, Missouri/Madison, Illinois This catastrophic and violent F4 tornado first touched down in the southwest corner of St. Louis County in Crescent, Missouri just southwest of Sherman. The tornado first caused some minor damage to homes in Sherman, as it moved northeast before passing through Jedburg and Cedar Bluff. Damage continued to be minor as the tornado struck Mountain Ridge, Lincoln Beach, Fern Glen, Southern Twin Oaks, Barretts, and Ozark View. As the tornado entered Warson Woods, it began to intensify sharply and damage became much more severe as it reached F2 status. Homes and stores had their roofs ripped off and numerous trees and power lines were downed. Similar to worse destruction was seen in Rock Hill, Brentwood, and Maplewood. Throughout St. Louis County, the tornado killed 10, injured 170, and caused $25 million in damage. The tornado then entered St. Louis City, devastating the area. It first damaged dozens of buildings and homes in the neighborhoods of Franz Park, Hi-Pointe, and Clayton-Tamm in Northern Benton before