ST. LOUIS —Local, state and federal officials said Saturday morning that the death toll in the city of St. Louis remained at 5 following suspected tornado activity in the St. Louis region. Victims range in age from 30 to 80. As of Saturday evening, police have identified three of the victims. Mayor Cara Spencer said 38 people were injured as a result of the storms that swept through West and North St. Louis Friday afternoon.
Four of the deaths were in North St. Louis and one was in the Carondolet Park area.
A curfew will remain in effect starting at 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday in areas north of Forest Park and in police districts 5 and 6. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers will remain on 12 hour shifts.
Spencer said city forestry crews are focused on getting streets cleared and passable and that building inspectors were already at work to determine what should happen to the estimated 5,000 structures in the city that sustained damage.
Gov. Mike Kehoe said he's been in contact with federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Saturday morning. DHS oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA and that Kehoe's staff has been on the phone with the White House.
The state's emergency declaration from storms that swept through Missouri in March remains in effect, Kehoe said. The White House has not issued a federal disaster declaration from that storm yet.
"We are also seeing just tremendous, tremendous involvement from community organizations taking on a lot of work to support the efforts here," Mayor Spencer said Saturday evening. "The American Red cross has set up three shelters in the city to help all people who have been displaced. The Urban League is helping collect donations of food, water and materials. The United Way is connecting people to resources."
For immediate assistance call 1-800-Red Cross. Residents can also text "Shelter"/their ZIP-code to 43362. Power outages should be reported to Ameren Missouri at #800.552.7583. Heat Up, Cool Down St. Louis and Verizon have partnered to provide free Wifi and device charging, beginning Sunday at the O’Fallon YMCA, 4343 W Florissant. The United Way of St. Louis has a list of volunteer opportunities at stlVolunteer.org
Shelters:
• Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
• 12th & Park Recreation Center, 1410 S. Tucker Blvd.
Neighborhood Resource Center, 1408 N. Kingshighway
From Friday:
St. Louis City officials confirmed at least five deaths following Friday afternoon's severe storm that produced a tornado near Clayton at 2:44 p.m. A curfew was put into place Friday night at 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Saturday in the hard hit area in north and west St. Louis.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department says there is significant damage to the north and west of St. Louis City. The storm resulted in downed power lines, trees and building damages in the city, as well as large amounts of hail across the region.
City officials have urged residents to stay home while first responders and crews work to clean up storm damage and restore power.
More than 108,000 Ameren customers were without power at the height of the storm. Officials urge residents to avoid downed power lines. To report one, call Ameren Missouri at 300-552-7583.
The National Weather Service will have surveying crews to determine the strength of the tornado.
In St. Louis County, crews are assisting the city of Clayton with storm recovery; they are addressing the high volume of downed trees and clearing debris in south St. Louis County, including Jefferson Barracks Park, according to a Facebook post by county executive Sam Page.
Tilles Park is closed due to a downed line and damaged transformer. The storm caused minor damage to St. Louis County Courthouse, including a few broken windows.
The Saint Louis Zoo also announced its closure for the rest of Friday and Saturday because of storm damage. The Facebook post says that all animals are safe and accounted for, and there were no significant injuries reported from guests, staff or animals.
The same storm produced large amounts of hail in several areas.
St. Charles, Cottleville and Weldon Spring experienced golf ball sized hail. Chesterfield received tennis ball sized hail and O’Fallon saw 1.5-inch sized hail.
The story will be updated as more information becomes available.
