 The Mid @-@ October 2007 tornado outbreak was a widespread tornado outbreak that took place across much of the eastern half of North America starting on October 18 , 2007 and continuing into the early hours of October 19 . The outbreak was also responsible for five deaths ; three in Michigan and two in Missouri , plus many injuries ( including some from non @-@ tornadic events ) . At least 64 tornadoes were confirmed including 16 on October 17 across six states including Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Louisiana , Mississippi and Missouri with wind damage reported in Oklahoma , Kansas , Illinois , Iowa , Arkansas and Mississippi . On October 18 , at least 48 tornadoes were confirmed across eight states including Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Tennessee , Kentucky , Illinois , Indiana and Michigan , plus widespread straight line wind damage . Until 2010 , this event held the record for largest tornado outbreak ever recorded in the month of October according to NOAA . 
