A powerful storm system swept through Missouri and parts of the Midwest on Friday, killing at least seven people and leaving a trail of destruction, power outages, and injuries. The National Weather Service confirmed a likely tornado touched down in the St. Louis area, causing significant structural damage and chaos during the Friday afternoon commute.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five fatalities in her city and stated that over 5,000 homes were impacted while around 100,000 customers remained without electricity. “This is truly, truly devastating,” Spencer said, adding that a state of emergency had been declared along with an overnight curfew in the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Authorities were engaged in search and rescue operations, going building-to-building in areas where people were feared trapped. Among the worst-hit locations was the Centennial Christian Church, where part of the building collapsed. Three people were rescued from the rubble, but one, Patricia Penelton—a dedicated church volunteer—did not survive.
In addition to St. Louis, Scott County, located about 209 km to the south, reported two more fatalities due to a tornado that destroyed multiple homes. Sheriff Derick Wheetley praised the quick response of first responders who acted even as the tornado was still active.
The destruction wasn’t limited to Missouri. Storms wreaked havoc across the Great Lakes region and parts of the Midwest. In Wisconsin, several tornadoes touched down, with one area reporting softball-sized hail. Thousands of trees were uprooted, windows blown out, and roofs ripped off buildings. The Harlem Taproom in St. Louis saw its upper floors demolished, though all 20 patrons inside managed to take cover and avoid injury.
Hospitals in the area received dozens of patients. Barnes-Jewish Hospital treated 20 to 30 injured individuals, some seriously, while St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted 15, with two expected to stay over the weekend.
Amid the chaos, cultural institutions such as the Saint Louis Zoo and the Art Museum were not spared. The zoo remained closed due to downed trees, though no injuries to animals or staff were reported. Museum-goers were rushed into the basement for safety, with one witness describing branches and debris flying past the building’s doors.
The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado emergency around Marion, Illinois, and warned of severe storms, large hail, and wind gusts exceeding 120 km/h across Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and other neighboring states. A dust storm warning was also issued for the Chicago area Friday night, with visibility severely reduced by a 161-km-long wall of dust.
Amid the storms, Texas experienced extreme heat with advisories issued for cities like Austin and San Antonio where the heat index soared above 40°C. Meteorologists warned of heat exhaustion and advised the public to remain indoors and stay hydrated.
Power outages extended across multiple states, including Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, where nearly 190,000 customers were still without power Friday night. The threat of severe weather also forced delays at events like a Beyoncé concert in Chicago, which was postponed by two hours due to storm concerns.
Meteorologists say the volatile weather was triggered by a clash of warm, humid air and a cold front moving through the region. More damage assessments and weather surveys are expected in the coming days to confirm the number of tornadoes and the extent of the destruction.
Sources By Agencies
