ST. LOUIS – The path to recovery is long for families devastated by last week’s tornadoes, but help is growing. Volunteers are stepping up as a lifeline for those who’ve lost everything, and the American Red Cross has opened shelters across St. Louis as crews continue clearing and cleaning up storm-ravaged neighborhoods.
From broken windows to broken lives, you can see all of the rubble and debris left behind by Mother Nature in the affected neighborhoods. For residents who lost everything in the storm, the American Red Cross is stepped up to provide shelter and a road to recovery.
“So, we have the three shelters open, and we are encouraging people to come in,” Sharon Watson, regional communications director for the American Red Cross of Missouri, said. “We do have food and water and meals and other supplies that people are just needing to come by. Recharge their cell phone or just get a refreshing stop in their day. They can also stay here all night.”
The shelter has become a lifeline for people like Steven Reason, who lost his home in the storm.
“Some people’s memories can never be restored from this tragedy,” he said. “It’s like I hate that it happened, the good thing about it, it brought everybody together as a community.”
Residents impacted by the storm are hoping help is on the way soon.
FEMA and SEMA will have assessment teams in town on Wednesday to determine funding eligibility.
Open shelter locations are as follows:
- Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63130
- 12th & Park Recreation Center, 1410 S. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104
- Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133
(No ID or proof of residency is required. Red Cross services are free and available to all.)