ST. LOUIS — Volunteers in St. Louis, along with city officials, are still cleaning up after the May 16 storms, even as more severe weather is on the horizon.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said in a Facebook post that teams are focusing on storm recovery and shifting into storm preparation by getting "schools, child care, and senior centers up and running, and then on longer-term organization for cleanup and recovery."
As with any severe weather event this time of year, small-scale factors can sometimes have big impacts on the final forecast. Severe storms will be likely from Kansas City to St. Louis through tonight with a level 2/3 risk for severe weather. All modes of severe weather will be possible, including tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. Storms look to start around 3 p.m. for the Kansas City area and won't arrive in the St. Louis metro until later tonight between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Severe weather could linger through the overnight hours with strong winds, hail, and tornadoes all possible so be sure to have multiple ways of receiving severe weather alerts.
Spencer also said the city is asking for the following supplies, which can be dropped off at the O’Fallon YMCA, Urban League at the Kingshighway location, and 4144 Martin Luther King Drive.
- Tarps
- 2x4 lumber
- 4x8 sheets of plywood or boards
- Wood screws
- Work gloves
- Masks
"If you are able, please find a neighborhood that was hit and assist with moving debris into large, organized piles at the edge of the property (not in the street). Keep house debris separate from tree debris, and bricks should also be piled separately so they can be reused for rebuilding," Spencer said on her Facebook page. "The city would also ask that people avoid sightseeing in affected areas. If you aren't there to make donations or assist property owners, please stay away."