ST. LOUIS – A devastating tornado struck St. Louis, leaving five people dead, dozens injured, and causing more than $1 billion in damage.
The tornado, which touched down Friday, has left thousands without power as cleanup efforts continue. Approximately 5,000 buildings were damaged, and a curfew has been put in place in north St. Louis from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to ensure safety.
“We have critical infrastructure that is still unstable,” said St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson confirmed that search efforts for potential victims have been completed.
The hardest-hit areas, including Lindell, north of Forest Park, show breathtaking damage with massive trees uprooted and light poles knocked over. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has estimated the financial toll of the storm at $1.6 billion.
Ameren is working with 1,900 workers from the area and other states to restore power, but full restoration may extend until later this week. The storm broke approximately 300 power poles, complicating restoration efforts.
There is also a concern about more severe weather potentially moving into the area Monday.
As St. Louis continues to recover from the tornado, officials urge residents to remain cautious and support one another amid ongoing challenges. The St. Louis Tornado Relief Fund was recently launched to raise funds for the ongoing cleanup. For more information, click here.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.
