At least five individuals tragically lost their lives and over 5,000 structures sustained damage when a tornado ravaged St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday. The tornado, which struck in the evening, carved a path along a major thoroughfare, devastating homes by ripping roofs off, uprooting trees, and downing power lines. An estimated 100,000 properties were plunged into darkness, prompting the local fire department to initiate thorough searches for survivors in the most heavily affected districts.
According to the US National Weather Service, at least six additional tornadoes were reported across Missouri and nearby Illinois, with powerful weather conditions moving toward the Atlantic coast. The tornado is believed to have touched down shortly after 2:30 PM local time, particularly near Forest Park, renowned for housing the St. Louis Zoo and being the site of the 1904 Olympic Games.
The St. Louis Fire Department reported a significant incident at Centennial Christian Church, where they had to rescue three individuals after part of the structure collapsed; one of the victims later succumbed to injuries. In response to the chaos, authorities implemented a curfew from 9 PM to 6 AM in the most damaged neighborhoods to mitigate injuries from debris and curb potential looting.
Mayor Cara Spencer expressed her sorrow, stating, "Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. There is much work ahead in the coming days, but our immediate focus is on saving lives, ensuring safety, and allowing our community to mourn."
According to the US National Weather Service, at least six additional tornadoes were reported across Missouri and nearby Illinois, with powerful weather conditions moving toward the Atlantic coast. The tornado is believed to have touched down shortly after 2:30 PM local time, particularly near Forest Park, renowned for housing the St. Louis Zoo and being the site of the 1904 Olympic Games.
The St. Louis Fire Department reported a significant incident at Centennial Christian Church, where they had to rescue three individuals after part of the structure collapsed; one of the victims later succumbed to injuries. In response to the chaos, authorities implemented a curfew from 9 PM to 6 AM in the most damaged neighborhoods to mitigate injuries from debris and curb potential looting.
Mayor Cara Spencer expressed her sorrow, stating, "Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. There is much work ahead in the coming days, but our immediate focus is on saving lives, ensuring safety, and allowing our community to mourn."
