At least five people have died and more than 5,000 buildings have been damaged after a powerful tornado tore through St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday evening, causing widespread destruction and plunging tens of thousands into darkness.
The tornado struck around 2:30 p.m. local time, touching down near Forest Park home to the St. Louis Zoo and the historic site of the 1904 Olympic Games. It ripped along a major roadway, tearing roofs off homes, toppling trees, and snapping power lines. Emergency services responded rapidly, with the St. Louis Fire Department conducting house-by-house searches in the most severely affected neighborhoods.
About 100,000 properties were left without electricity in the immediate aftermath. The city’s fire department reported that three people had to be rescued after the roof of the Centennial Christian Church collapsed. Tragically, one of those individuals did not survive.
The US National Weather Service confirmed the St. Louis tornado as part of a broader outbreak, reporting at least six other tornadoes across Missouri and neighboring Illinois. Severe weather warnings were issued as the storm system moved eastward toward the Atlantic coast, raising concerns about further damage in other states.
In response to the disaster, a city-wide curfew was enforced from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in the two hardest-hit areas. The curfew aims to ensure public safety and prevent potential looting in vulnerable neighborhoods still littered with debris.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer expressed the city’s deep sorrow: “Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. We’re going to have a lot of work to do in the coming days. There is no doubt there, but tonight we are focused on saving lives, keeping people safe, and allowing our community to grieve.”
Local officials have urged residents to remain indoors, avoid damaged areas, and heed emergency services’ instructions as recovery and rescue operations continue. Relief agencies are mobilizing support, and authorities have pledged swift action to restore power and assist those displaced by the storm.
