Tornado Strikes St. Louis, Leaving Five Dead and Extensive Damage

At least five people have lost their lives and over 5,000 structures have been impacted following a fierce tornado that swept through the St. Louis region on Friday evening. The tornado carved a path along a major roadway, demolishing roofs, uprooting trees, and downing power lines. In its wake, around 100,000 properties were left powerless, prompting the fire department to embark on house-by-house searches in the areas most severely affected.

The US National Weather Service indicated that the tornado first touched down shortly after 2:30 PM local time in the western part of the city, near Forest Park, a site notable for housing the St. Louis Zoo and hosting the 1904 Olympic Games. In a chilling incident, three individuals had to be rescued when a section of the nearby Centennial Christian Church collapsed; tragically, one of them later succumbed to injuries.

To mitigate further dangers associated with fallen debris and to deter looting, city authorities have enforced a curfew in the most impacted neighborhoods from 9 PM to 6 AM. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer expressed her sorrow, stating, "Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous." She emphasized the urgent need for rescue efforts while acknowledging the extensive work that lies ahead for the community in the coming days.