St louis tornado

A powerful and fast-moving tornado ripped through parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area late Thursday evening, leaving significant damage in its wake and prompting a swift response from emergency crews. At least three people are confirmed dead, dozens injured, and hundreds of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed Friday morning that an EF-3 tornado, with estimated peak winds of 145 mph, touched down just after 8:30 p.m. in the western suburb of Chesterfield and continued northeast through parts of Maryland Heights, Overland, and into North St. Louis County.

“We knew conditions were favorable for severe storms, but the speed and intensity of this tornado caught many off guard,” said NWS meteorologist Claire Benton. “The storm developed rapidly and moved through densely populated neighborhoods in a matter of minutes.”

Residents described scenes of chaos and destruction as the twister carved its path through communities already soaked by days of rain. Trees were snapped like twigs, power lines were downed across roadways, and homes were reduced to splinters.

“I looked out the window and saw debris swirling in the air,” said Marcus Hill, a resident of Maryland Heights who huddled in his basement with his wife and two children. “The house was shaking. It sounded like a freight train going right over us. When we came upstairs, our roof was gone.”

In Overland, an elementary school sustained heavy roof damage, though it had been unoccupied at the time. A local grocery store also suffered a partial collapse, with several customers sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones declared a state of emergency early Friday, enabling state and federal resources to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. “Our city is strong, but this is a devastating blow,” she said at a morning press conference. “We are coordinating with first responders, utility companies, and the Red Cross to provide shelter, aid, and safety for our residents.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson also pledged support, deploying National Guard units to assist with debris removal and security in affected areas. “The destruction is heartbreaking,” said Parson during a briefing in Jefferson City. “But we’ve seen Missouri communities rise up time and time again. We’ll get through this.”

Utility crews worked through the night and into the day to restore power to an estimated 56,000 customers left in the dark. Ameren Missouri reported that downed transmission lines and damaged substations were slowing the process, but vowed to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Several emergency shelters have been set up at area schools, churches, and community centers. The Red Cross has mobilized disaster response teams and is working to provide food, water, and temporary lodging for displaced families. At least 180 people sought shelter overnight.

Hospitals across the region reported treating a surge of patients for storm-related injuries, primarily from falling debris and shattered glass. Barnes-Jewish Hospital activated its emergency plan shortly after the tornado hit, treating over 40 people in the first few hours.

As daylight revealed the full extent of the damage, rescue crews with dogs began combing through rubble in several neighborhoods, searching for any individuals who may still be trapped.

Meteorologists are continuing to assess the storm’s path and intensity, and additional tornado surveys are underway in nearby counties.

For now, the city is focused on immediate recovery, cleanup, and supporting those who lost homes or loved ones.

“We’ll rebuild,” said Hill, standing in front of the remains of his home. “But right now, we’re just grateful to be alive.”

Officials are urging residents to stay off affected roads, avoid downed power lines, and check on neighbors—especially the elderly or those with disabilities. Donations and volunteers are already being coordinated through local relief groups.

As the city begins to pick up the pieces, the memory of Thursday night’s storm is likely to linger for years to come.