The deadliest twister in recorded U.S. history struck 100 years ago Tuesday, touching down in southeastern Missouri and tearing up everything in its 219-mile (352-kilometer) path for nearly four hours through southern Illinois and into Indiana.

From Logan School's top floor, 11-year-old Othella Silvey should have been able to see her house easily — it was less than two blocks away. But after a monstrous tornado ripped through the Illinois town of Murphysboro on March 18,

Tuesday will mark a somber anniversary, as it will be 100 years since the deadliest tornado in the country’s history hit Illinois.

Millions of Americans across the country are on alert for a severe weather outbreak as violent, long-track tornadoes with damaging winds of up to 80 mph and large hail are expected across the Midwest and South with the cross-country storm moving east.

Large and destructive tornadoes are carving paths of destruction across the South for the second day in a row.