At least five people died and authorities were searching building to building for people trapped or hurt after a severe storm, including a possible tornado, swept through St. Louis on Friday afternoon.
The storm tore roofs off buildings, blew out windows, ripped bricks off siding and yanked up trees and power lines. Mayor Cara Spencer said more than 5,000 homes were affected and that about 100,000 customers remained without electricity on Friday night.
“This is truly, truly devastating,” Spencer said. The city was in the process of declaring an emergency, she added, and an overnight curfew Friday had been put into place in the neighborhoods with the most damage.
The number of people injured was not immediately known. Barnes-Jewish Hospital received 20 to 30 patients with storm-related injuries, with some in serious condition and most expected to be discharged by Friday night, according to hospital spokesperson Laura High.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital received 15 patients, two of whom were expected to remain into the weekend, she said.
National Weather Service radar indicated that a tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Mo., in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down near Forest Park, home to the Saint Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games that year.
One person died and two others were rescued from Centennial Christian Church after part of the building crumbled, St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan told the Associated Press.
Stacy Clark said his mother-in-law, Patricia Penelton, died in the church. He described her as an active church volunteer who had many roles, including serving in the choir.
“Pray for our church,” Centennial Christian posted on its Facebook page.
Jeffrey Simmons Sr., who lives across the street from the church, heard an alert on his phone and then the lights went out.
Post a Comment