St. Louis Begins Cleanup After Tornadoes Leave Five Dead
Tornadoes Rip Through St. Louis on Friday Afternoon
St. Louis residents woke up Saturday morning to devastation left behind by two confirmed tornadoes. The storms, which struck Friday afternoon, killed at least five people, injured dozens, and damaged more than 5,000 buildings. Over 80,000 homes and businesses were without power as cleanup efforts began.
Power Outages and Structural Damage Widespread
As of 6 a.m. Saturday, Ameren reported that 84,163 customers remained without power. While restoration efforts had started, the utility could not provide a firm timeline for full recovery.
The tornadoes tore through several neighborhoods, including Clayton, Richmond Heights, Forest Park, Central West End, and North City. In Clayton, emergency crews evacuated residents due to possible gas leaks. Attractions in Forest Park closed following widespread damage and power issues. In Central West End, buildings suffered structural harm, while North City residents surveyed collapsed buildings and expressed relief that the situation wasn’t even worse.
National Weather Service Confirms Severe Tornado Activity
Meteorologist Ben Herzog of the National Weather Service said investigators would analyze the tornadoes’ paths, strength, and scale on Saturday. Initial estimates suggest winds reached at least 100 mph.
“We’re very confident two tornadoes occurred, and wind speeds were likely over 100 miles per hour,” Herzog explained. The first tornado warning was issued at 2:34 p.m. Friday. Roughly seven to eight minutes later, the tornado touched down.
Weekend Forecast Offers Temporary Relief
Weather officials expect clear skies and milder temperatures for the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday. However, storms may return early next week. Residents are encouraged to use the calm weather window to assess damage, support neighbors, and prepare for the possibility of more severe weather ahead.
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