A powerful tornado in St. Louis ripped through the city on May 15, 2025, leaving behind a trail of damaged buildings, uprooted trees, and widespread power outages. From Clayton to Harlem Tap Room, the sudden twister caught many by surprise. As Missouri residents begin to assess the damage, here’s a complete breakdown of what happened, which neighborhoods were hit hardest, and what emergency steps are in place now.
🌀 Tornado Hits St. Louis: What Happened?
According to KSDK News, the St. Louis tornado struck just before sunset, with wind speeds exceeding 100 mph. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado warning in St. Louis earlier in the afternoon, but the full force of the twister took many off guard.
📍 Areas Most Affected by the Tornado in St. Louis
Key areas reported to have sustained heavy damage include:
- Clayton, MO – Roofs torn off several commercial buildings
- Harlem Tap Room vicinity – Trees down, windows shattered
- Downtown STL – Multiple power lines down, scattered debris
- St. Louis Zoo area – Temporary closure due to storm concerns
Nearby residents in St. Louis County and Metro East also reported hearing loud freight train-like sounds, a classic indicator of a tornado’s presence.
⚡ Power Outages in St. Louis After Tornado
Over 70,000 homes were reported without power according to Ameren Missouri, as of Thursday morning. Restoration crews are working around the clock, but residents are still searching “power outage near me” and refreshing the Ameren outage map for updates.
You can track the current outage status here:
🔗 Ameren Outage Map
📡 Weather Radar & Tornado Alerts in STL
Residents received tornado alerts via:
- KMOV Weather App
- Fox2Now Emergency Alerts
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Local news alerts from KSDK and KY3 Weather
Use your local St. Louis weather radar or “weather radar near me” tools for real-time updates. The tornado warning was issued around 5:15 PM and remained in effect for nearly an hour.
🏚️ Tornado Damage to St. Louis Buildings
The destruction across St. Louis includes:
- Blown-off roofs in Clayton
- Fallen trees across STL city streets
- Broken power poles near Cherokee Street
- Damaged fences, cars, and exterior facades
- Public parks littered with storm debris
The St. Louis tornado damage is still being assessed by local authorities. Emergency crews are working to clear blocked roads and restore critical infrastructure.
👨🚒 Emergency Services and Shelters
St. Louis Fire Department and Missouri National Guard were deployed immediately to assist with rescue efforts and cleanup. Several emergency shelters have opened in affected areas:
- St. Louis Community College (Forest Park)
- City Museum Basement Shelter
- YMCA of Greater STL – Temporary Stay Zones
For ongoing updates, check local news stations like KMOV, KSDK, and Fox2Now.
🗺️ Where the Tornado Touched Down: Radar Review
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service say the tornado tracked from St. Ann through Clayton, clipping Central West End, and exiting near Bellefontaine Neighbors. Residents are encouraged to use St. Louis radar, weather radar St. Louis, or “radar near me” for path verification.
🐾 Is the St. Louis Zoo Safe?
Though the St. Louis Zoo was near the affected region, no animal injuries were reported. The zoo closed temporarily but is expected to reopen after inspections. Staff confirmed that animal safety protocols were followed during the storm.
🔄 How to Stay Safe During Tornado Season in St. Louis
Missouri is no stranger to tornadoes. As storms become more unpredictable, here’s how to stay prepared:
- Always download weather alert apps like KMOV Weather or KSDK Weather
- Keep a battery-operated NOAA radio on hand
- Prepare a home tornado safety kit
- Identify the safest room in your home (usually a basement or interior bathroom)
📢 What Happens Next?
Recovery efforts will continue throughout the week. Residents are urged to stay indoors if possible, report downed lines, and check on elderly neighbors. Ameren expects full power restoration within 72 hours for most areas.
➡️ Visit our St. Louis Weather Center for real-time alerts and preparedness tips.
➡️ Read more about Missouri disaster preparedness.
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