Where’s FEMA? St. Louis mayor pleads for help from federal government after fatal tornado - Tornado caused over $1 billion in damages to the city

ST. LOUIS A tornado with peak winds reaching 150 mph struck the City of St. Louis on Friday afternoon, May 16, 2025, causing significant damage and casualties,

Once the assessment is complete, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe will ask President Donald Trump for federal assistance for individual homeowners and renters.

At least five people have died and more than 5,000 buildings were damaged after a tornado tore through St Louis in Missouri. The tornado swept along a major road, tearing roofs off houses, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines on Friday evening.

A tornado likely rolled through the City of St. Louis on Friday afternoon, based on FOX 2 radar indications and preliminary analysis from the National Weather Service.

The EF3 tornado caused at least $1 billion in damage in the city of St. Louis alone. At the storm’s peak, more than 100,000 lost power. Five people were confirmed dead and dozens of residents were hospitalized with injuries.

Red Cross announced the opening of three St. Louis shelters, at Grace United Methodist Church, Friendly Temple Outreach Center and a city recreation center at 12th and Park Avenue.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely with more to come after midnight with chances of precipitation at 90%. Wind gusts could reach up to 24 mph. Shower and storms will continue into Tuesday morning, likely between 7 and 9 a.m. with a chance for more of the same after 9 a.m.

At least two tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the 5 On Your Side viewing area on Friday after severe storms rolled through the area.

Dozens of firefighters and rescue workers are conducting a methodical sweep in St. Louis after Friday's tornado.