A tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, killing at least five people and damaging 5,000 properties while causing widespread destruction during rush-hour traffic, officials said.
“Our city is grieving tonight,” St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, who was sworn in a month ago, told reporters. “The loss of life and the destruction are truly, truly horrendous.”
The number of injured was undetermined as officials said they were still gathering information from several hospitals where people were taken.
Curfew Imposed
The city imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (0200-1100 GMT) in two police districts where most of the damage took place to prevent injuries from dangerous debris and reduce the potential for looting.
Radar confirmed that a tornado touched down in the Clayton suburb or near Forest Park, Missouri, before moving toward the north side of downtown St. Louis.
The radar detected debris lifted high into the air, suggesting the tornado’s strength could have ranged from EF2 to EF3, though an official survey will be needed to determine its exact intensity.
As the tornado crossed the Mississippi River just north of downtown, damage reports quickly began to surface. Videos captured by bystanders showed a downtown building with its roof torn off.
Local media reported that city workers took shelter in the basement of City Hall as the tornado approached.
Based on radar data and reports of traffic disruptions, the tornado likely affected areas including parts of the Washington University campus, the St. Louis Zoo grounds, and a section of the MetroLink light rail line north of the zoo.
Rescue Ops Underway
About 500 first responders, including 17 search teams, were deployed, and early indications suggested the number of injured was relatively small considering the overall damage, Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said.
The National Weather Service reported at least half a dozen tornadoes touching down in Missouri and neighbouring Illinois, and other severe weather stretching all the way to the Atlantic Coast, including another tornado in New Jersey.
(With inputs from Reuters and IBNS)
