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St. Louis tornado is surging in Google searches after a devastating twister ripped through the city on May 16, 2025. This guide covers the latest news, historic tornadoes, safety advice, recovery resources, and why St. Louis is one of America’s most tornado-prone cities. Whether you’re looking for breaking updates, survival tips, or the full story of St. Louis tornadoes, you’ll find everything here-fully SEO-optimized for US readers and Google.
📰 Breaking News: St. Louis Tornado May 16, 2025
⚠️ What happened?
On May 16, 2025, a powerful tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, killing at least five people and injuring dozens more. The storm hit during the afternoon, tearing through neighborhoods from Clayton to North City and leaving a trail of destruction that stretched across at least 20 square blocks.
🏚️ Damage: Over 5,000 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Roofs were ripped off, windows shattered, bricks torn from walls, and power lines and trees toppled. Major roads and intersections were blocked by debris.
💡 Power Outages: More than 100,000 customers lost power at the height of the storm. Many neighborhoods remained in the dark for hours as crews worked through the night.
🏥 Injuries: Barnes-Jewish Hospital treated 20–30 patients, some in critical condition. St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted 15, with two expected to remain through the weekend.
👮 Curfew & Emergency: Mayor Cara Spencer declared a state of emergency and imposed a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the hardest-hit areas to protect lives and prevent looting.
🦺 Rescue & Recovery: Over 500 first responders, including 17 search teams, swept the city, searching for survivors and clearing debris. Dramatic rescues were reported, including a man pulled from a collapsed home.
🦒 Zoo & Parks: The Saint Louis Zoo and Tilles Park closed due to storm damage, but all animals and staff were reported safe.
🌨️ Hail: Golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail fell in St. Charles, Chesterfield, and O’Fallon, adding to the chaos.
📣 Official message: “This is incredibly, incredibly tragic,” said Mayor Spencer. “Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the devastation is genuinely horrific.”
🏚️ Damage: Over 5,000 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Roofs were ripped off, windows shattered, bricks torn from walls, and power lines and trees toppled. Major roads and intersections were blocked by debris.
💡 Power Outages: More than 100,000 customers lost power at the height of the storm. Many neighborhoods remained in the dark for hours as crews worked through the night.
🏥 Injuries: Barnes-Jewish Hospital treated 20–30 patients, some in critical condition. St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted 15, with two expected to remain through the weekend.
👮 Curfew & Emergency: Mayor Cara Spencer declared a state of emergency and imposed a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the hardest-hit areas to protect lives and prevent looting.
🦺 Rescue & Recovery: Over 500 first responders, including 17 search teams, swept the city, searching for survivors and clearing debris. Dramatic rescues were reported, including a man pulled from a collapsed home.
🦒 Zoo & Parks: The Saint Louis Zoo and Tilles Park closed due to storm damage, but all animals and staff were reported safe.
🌨️ Hail: Golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail fell in St. Charles, Chesterfield, and O’Fallon, adding to the chaos.
📣 Official message: “This is incredibly, incredibly tragic,” said Mayor Spencer. “Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the devastation is genuinely horrific.”
🌪️ St. Louis Tornado History: Why This City Is America’s Tornado Hotspot
📜 St. Louis is the most tornado-afflicted urban area in the US.
The city’s location at the meeting point of warm, humid Gulf air and cool, dry Canadian air makes it a prime target for tornadoes, especially in spring and early summer.
📆 Historic Tornadoes:
🗺️ Why so many tornadoes? St. Louis’s geography, urban density, and weather patterns combine to make it uniquely vulnerable.
📆 Historic Tornadoes:
- 1896 St. Louis–East St. Louis Tornado: The deadliest in city history and third-deadliest in US history. Struck May 27, 1896, killing at least 255 people, injuring over 1,000, and leaving 5,000 homeless. Damage equivalent to $378 million today. The tornado cut a mile-wide path through downtown, crossed the Mississippi, and devastated East St. Louis.
- 1927 Tornado: Killed 72+, injured 550+, and destroyed much of the city’s north side.
- 1959 Tornado: Killed 21, injured 345, and caused widespread destruction.
- 2025 Tornado: The latest disaster, with at least 5 dead, 5,000+ buildings damaged, and a citywide emergency.
🗺️ Why so many tornadoes? St. Louis’s geography, urban density, and weather patterns combine to make it uniquely vulnerable.
🧭 Timeline: St. Louis Tornadoes, 1896–2025
⏳ Key Dates:
- May 27, 1896: The Great Cyclone devastates St. Louis and East St. Louis.
- September 29, 1927: Another major tornado strikes, killing dozens.
- February 10, 1959: A deadly tornado hits the city’s north side.
- March 14, 2025: Outbreak of 12 tornadoes in the St. Louis region, one of the most active on record.
- May 16, 2025: The latest tornado disaster, with at least 5 dead and thousands of homes damaged.
🛡️ How to Stay Safe During and After a St. Louis Tornado
📢 Immediate Steps:
🛑 Curfew: Respect city curfews and stay off roads to allow emergency crews to work.
💬 Stay Informed: Follow City of St. Louis Tornado Info and NWS St. Louis for updates.
- Take shelter immediately when tornado warnings are issued. Go to a basement, interior room, or designated tornado shelter.
- Stay away from windows and cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets.
- Use text messages or social media to check on loved ones and save phone lines for emergencies.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local authorities for updates.
- Avoid downed power lines and report them to Ameren Missouri (800-552-7583).
- Watch for gas leaks and contact Spire (800-887-4173) if you smell gas.
- Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, and masks during cleanup to protect against debris and mold.
- Use Red Cross shelters if you need a safe place to stay. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
🛑 Curfew: Respect city curfews and stay off roads to allow emergency crews to work.
💬 Stay Informed: Follow City of St. Louis Tornado Info and NWS St. Louis for updates.
🛠️ Recovery, Resources, and How to Get Help
🏠 Red Cross Shelters: Two open in St. Louis for those displaced by the tornado. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS for locations.
🤝 Community Aid: United Way 211 and the Salvation Army are providing food, water, and volunteer help.
🧰 Report Damage: Use the City of St. Louis Citizens Service Bureau for building, tree, or street damage.
💡 Power & Gas: Ameren (power) and Spire (gas) are working to restore services. Avoid downed lines.
🧑🤝🧑 Volunteer & Donate: Contact the United Way or Missouri State Emergency Management Agency for ways to help.
📱 Social Media: Follow #STLTornado on Twitter, Reddit, and local news for real-time updates and survivor stories.
🤝 Community Aid: United Way 211 and the Salvation Army are providing food, water, and volunteer help.
🧰 Report Damage: Use the City of St. Louis Citizens Service Bureau for building, tree, or street damage.
💡 Power & Gas: Ameren (power) and Spire (gas) are working to restore services. Avoid downed lines.
🧑🤝🧑 Volunteer & Donate: Contact the United Way or Missouri State Emergency Management Agency for ways to help.
📱 Social Media: Follow #STLTornado on Twitter, Reddit, and local news for real-time updates and survivor stories.
💬 St. Louis Tornadoes: Real Stories, Social Media & Community Voices
🗣️ Reddit & Social Media:
🌎 Climate Change & Tornadoes: Many residents and scientists are connecting the frequency and intensity of recent tornadoes to climate change, noting that 2025 is already one of the region’s worst tornado years.
💬 Community Support: Local businesses, churches, and volunteers are mobilizing to provide food, shelter, and clean-up help to those affected.
- “2025 is already among the region’s worst tornado years.” – /r/StLouis
- “Don’t count on receiving any financial assistance from FEMA if something were to occur.” – Goshawk5
- “Appreciation goes out to climate change and all those who choose to overlook it.” – adschro
- “Welcome to the Midwest, we’ll have these through the summer.” – DuskSeron
🌎 Climate Change & Tornadoes: Many residents and scientists are connecting the frequency and intensity of recent tornadoes to climate change, noting that 2025 is already one of the region’s worst tornado years.
💬 Community Support: Local businesses, churches, and volunteers are mobilizing to provide food, shelter, and clean-up help to those affected.
❓ St. Louis Tornado FAQ (2025)
Q: How many people died in the 2025 St. Louis tornado?
A: At least 5 confirmed dead, with dozens injured and thousands displaced.
Q: How bad was the damage?
A: Over 5,000 homes and buildings damaged or destroyed, 100,000+ lost power, and entire neighborhoods devastated.
Q: What should I do if I need help?
A: Call 911 for emergencies, 1-800-RED-CROSS for shelter, and Ameren/Spire for power/gas issues.
Q: Is tornado season over?
A: No, peak tornado season in St. Louis runs through June. Stay alert.
Q: How can I help?
A: Donate to the Red Cross, United Way, or local relief agencies. Volunteer for clean-up and support.
A: At least 5 confirmed dead, with dozens injured and thousands displaced.
Q: How bad was the damage?
A: Over 5,000 homes and buildings damaged or destroyed, 100,000+ lost power, and entire neighborhoods devastated.
Q: What should I do if I need help?
A: Call 911 for emergencies, 1-800-RED-CROSS for shelter, and Ameren/Spire for power/gas issues.
Q: Is tornado season over?
A: No, peak tornado season in St. Louis runs through June. Stay alert.
Q: How can I help?
A: Donate to the Red Cross, United Way, or local relief agencies. Volunteer for clean-up and support.
🔗 Essential Resources & Official Links
©️ 2025 | St. Louis Tornado: Complete Guide for US Audiences | Up-to-Date
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