At least four people lost their lives as severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through St. Louis on Friday afternoon. The storms caused significant damage, with roofs torn off buildings, bricks ripped from walls, and numerous trees and power lines downed. Local authorities are currently searching for anyone who may be trapped or injured in the aftermath.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed the fatalities during a media briefing, expressing her sorrow over the devastating impact of the storms. She announced that the city is declaring a state of emergency to address the situation.
The National Weather Service reported that a tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, an area that includes Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo. At Centennial Christian Church, part of the building collapsed, leading to the rescue of three individuals. Sadly, one of them did not survive. Family members mourned the loss of Patricia Penelton, a dedicated church volunteer.
Witnesses described the chaos as the storm approached. Jeffrey Simmons Sr., who lives nearby, mentioned hearing alerts on his phone followed by a sudden loss of power and intense winds. He and his brother took shelter in their basement, later realizing the extent of the destruction outside.
In another location, the Harlem Taproom suffered severe damage to its upper stories, but fortunately, the patrons inside were unharmed as they took cover in the back of the building. Meanwhile, John Randle, a student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, recounted his experience at the St. Louis Art Museum, where he and around 150 others were ushered into the basement as the storm raged outside.
The Saint Louis Zoo announced it would remain closed on Saturday due to damage from the storm, although all animals and staff were reported safe. The National Weather Service is still assessing whether the storm was indeed a tornado, but they suspect it likely was.
This severe weather event is part of a broader system affecting the Midwest and Appalachia, where forecasters warned of potential tornadoes, hail, and hurricane-force winds. Areas in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri were particularly advised to prepare for intense storms.
As the storms continued to wreak havoc across the region, Texas faced extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 105°F. The National Weather Service warned residents to stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
As the cleanup begins in St. Louis, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the storms, mourning those lost and working together to recover from the destruction.