At least 4 dead after tornado and severe storm batters St. Louis, mayor says

Severe storms, possible tornado in St. Louis area leave at least four dead, buildings damaged, residents urged to take cover.

At least four people died after severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through St. Louis. Authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt.

The storms on Friday (May 17, 2025) afternoon tore roofs off buildings, ripped bricks off of siding and downed trees and power lines as residents were urged to take cover.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed the deaths at a media briefing. “This is truly, truly devastating,” Ms. Spencer said, adding that the city was in the process of declaring an emergency.

National Weather Service radar indicated that a tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games the same year.

At Centennial Christian Church, City of St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press that three people had to be rescued after part of the church crumbled. One of those people died.

Stacy Clark said his mother-in-law, Patricia Penelton, died in the church. He described her as a very active church volunteer who had many roles, including being part of the choir. “Pray for our church,” Centennial Christian posted on its Facebook page.

Jeffrey Simmons Sr., who lives across the street from the church, heard an alert on his phone, and then the lights went out. “And next thing you know, a lot of noise, heavy wind,” he said. He and his brother went into the basement. Later, he realised it was worse than he thought: “Everything was tore up.”