ST. LOUIS – Five days after a powerful tornado tore through St. Louis, signs of devastation remain widespread, but so do early signs of recovery and resilience.
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. The tornado swept through many westside and northside neighborhoods, including the Central West End, DeBaliviere Place, Fountain Park, The Ville, Greater Ville and Kingsway East.
In recent days, many roadways have been cleared of downed trees and debris, but the scars of the storm are still plainly visible. Homes with collapsed walls, crushed vehicles, shattered windows and scattered bricks serve as daily reminders of the destruction and long road to recovery.
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On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
Cleanup efforts are underway after a deadly tornado swept through St. Louis on May 16. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX) -
On May 16, an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, killing five, injuring dozens and damaging around 5,000 homes. (Photos via FOX2 photojournalists & DroneFOX)
Cleanup and recovery efforts are now well underway. City officials have praised the community response, supported by organizations like the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and American Red Cross, along with local volunteers. Residents have worked to distribute food and water as crucial cleanup efforts continue block-by-block.
View photo gallery in the slideshow attached to this story for a visual look at tornado damage and recovery efforts. All images are courtesy of FOX 2 photojournalists and DroneFOX.
NOTE: A video clip of the St. Louis tornado and community response without audio is also attached to this story.