The death toll from Friday’s devastating St. Louis tornado has risen to five, according to St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, who addressed the media during a news conference at police headquarters. The storm caused widespread destruction across the city, including the collapse of a historic church belltower and severe structural damage in multiple neighborhoods.
Injuries have yet to be fully tallied, but St. Louis police spokesperson Mitch McCoy confirmed that several individuals were transported to hospitals. A curfew has been enacted from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday in the hardest-hit areas — police districts 5 and 6 — covering portions of north St. Louis and the Central West End.
“We’re not trying to be heavy-handed with enforcement,” said Spencer. “This curfew is simply to encourage people to stay home and stay safe.”
Emergency officials also reported cell phone service disruptions due to damage to nearby towers, urging residents in the affected zones to limit phone use unless necessary. St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson stated that 17 search-and-rescue teams would conduct overnight house-to-house operations to assess damage and aid residents. Police Lt. Col. Renee Kriesmann emphasized the police department’s commitment to preventing looting.
Tragically, one of the five fatalities occurred at Centennial Christian Disciples of Christ Church, near Kingshighway and Fountain Avenue, where the church steeple collapsed, crushing the entrance. Two individuals were rescued, while a third — the church’s beloved cook, known for serving meals to the homeless — was killed. “She was selfless,” said Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, who described the church as a cherished part of the community for over 80 years.
In Clayton, a St. Louis County municipality, officials reported significant storm damage bordered by South Brentwood Boulevard, Skinker Boulevard, Forsyth Boulevard, and Clayton Road. As of now, no injuries have been confirmed in that area.
This event has sparked a surge in public interest around the tornado in St. Louis today, with searches and news coverage from outlets like KMOV, KSDK, Fox2Now, and KY3 Weather providing frequent updates. Residents are also tracking conditions using terms like “power outage near me,” “weather radar near me,” and “St. Louis weather radar” to stay informed. Power outages, reported by Ameren, have added to the challenges in recovery efforts.
As the city continues to assess the full extent of St. Louis tornado damage, residents are reminded to monitor weather St. Louis alerts, heed any ongoing tornado warning St. Louis, and stay connected through reliable sources such as KMOV Weather, KSDK Weather, and radar St. Louis platforms.
Key locations and topics trending in the aftermath include the St. Louis Zoo, Harlem Tap Room, tornado Clayton MO, STL weather, and regional impacts across Missouri. With continued efforts from first responders and city officials, St. Louis is working to recover and rebuild in the wake of this powerful storm.
