St. Louis tornado leaves five dead and extensive damage behind
- At least five fatalities reported and over 5,000 buildings damaged due to a powerful tornado.
- The storm lasted for eight miles with winds reaching up to 150 mph, leaving many areas without power.
- Rescue operations commenced as the city imposed a curfew to secure the vicinity and prevent further casualties.
On Friday, May 16, 2025, a powerful EF3 tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, causing widespread destruction across the city. The tornado began around 2:41 p.m. local time and was on the ground for at least eight miles, reaching winds of approximately 150 mph. As a result, at least five fatalities were reported along with numerous injuries as rescue operations commenced in the hardest-hit areas. Ghostly scenes emerged with trees uprooted, roofs torn off homes, and downed power lines. Up to 100,000 properties were left without electrical power following the tornado's wrath, leaving residents struggling to cope with the aftermath. Authorities conducted house-by-house searches to locate any trapped individuals and deliver emergency aid in response to the destruction. St. Louis Fire Department reported three individuals rescued from collapsed structures, including a painful incident at a nearby church that claimed one life. The city was put under a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in affected areas to prevent injuries from debris and discourage potential looting. Mayor Cara Spencer expressed the community's grief, stressing the urgent need for safety while mourning losses and concentrating on future recovery efforts. The tornado’s impact was felt far beyond St. Louis, with reports indicating at least six other tornadoes affected regions of Missouri and even parts of neighboring Illinois. As weather conditions continued to be severe across the region, it highlighted the escalating challenges of the 2025 tornado season. The National Weather Service (NWS) noted that this event marked an alarming trend, underscoring the ferocity of tornadoes this season, and indicated that tens of thousands of people remained without power on Sunday morning due to ongoing restoration efforts. The level of destruction in St. Louis forced first responders and the community alike to prioritize saving lives above all. In examining the environment from which this tornado emerged, meteorologists contrasted it to the Great St. Louis Tornado of 1896, which stands as the most devastating in the city’s recorded history, leading to the deaths of 255 people. Advances in meteorological technology and emergency response strategies contributed to a much lower casualty rate this time around despite significant physical destruction. While damage assessments were still ongoing at the time, the community continued to rally together, focusing on recovery and assistance in the wake of tragedy. Overall, the tornado's legacy is one of resilience amidst loss, revealing how far science and community response have come in addressing extreme weather events.