The Day After: Shocking new photos reveal massive storm damage across St. Louis metro

ST. LOUIS – One day after an intense tornado-warned storm system ripped through the St. Louis region, shock and devastation linger across many communities.

Officials have reported 12 storm-related deaths across Missouri from Friday’s severe weather events, including at least two in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The storm system unleashed apparent tornadoes, fierce winds, thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. On the heels of nighttime storms, the day after revealed the full scope of damage, and many residents are only now beginning to grasp the severity of what they endured.

To illustrate Friday’s severe weather, FOX 2 has gathered striking snapshots from ten communities or locations hit hard by the storms.

Purina Farms

Photo submitted by viewers Bill Etling and Tim Murphy showed extensive damage to the welcoming center at Purina Farms, a family-friendly attraction in Gray Summit, Missouri, that showcases a variety of animals. The main building sustained major damage, including roof completely blown off, walls pushed back and tables, chairs and trees scattered outside the entrance. A side building used for storage also lost its roof. The site is currently closed, but no injuries have been reported to animals or visitors at this time.

DesArc, Missouri

Kathy Lange Kiepe of Des Arc, Missouri, in Iron County, shared showing extensive damage to a loved one’s home. Large tree branches toppled the roof, bricks were blown off the walls, and equipment was scattered around. Most indoor structures are also heavily damaged.

Florissant

One of St. Louis’ largest-populated suburbs saw widespread damage across residential neighborhoods. Large trees were toppled, some falling onto homes and cars. Photos submitted by Christina Tolls and Tiara Cornell show a variety of impacts, including one snapshot that shows a roof nearly blown off completely.

Creve Coeur Soccer Park

In Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur Soccer Park suffered major damage to a key office building. Walls are torn down and scattered equipment, including office chairs and file cabinets, is visibly displaced. Nextdoor municipality Bridgeton also noticed damage to several homes and trees.

Rolla, Missouri

Just west of the typical Greater St. Louis area, Rolla experienced widespread damage, with businesses and apartment buildings suffering significant impacts to siding and roofs. Zak Olivo shared several photos with FOX 2 of a Saturday morning drone tour.

Arnold

Arnold was one of the hardest-hit communities, facing widespread destruction across homes, businesses, parks and trees. Signs for local spots Applebee’s and Drury Inn were torn apart and whipped around. The Fox Chase apartment complex also suffered extensive damage to units and cars. FOX 2’s Caroline Pettey, along with viewers Stacey Meshell and Jordan Lorenz, captured some powerful images.

Perryville

Perryville High School was severely damaged with bricks and walls torn apart, exposing the building’s interior. The school will be closed until further notice. The school district and viewer Falon Miller shared photos with FOX 2.

Chesterfield

Storms caused multiple power lines to fall around Parkway Central High School and tree damages for nearby homes. Fallen power lines draped over a school bus lot, reportedly canceling one planned school trip to Tennessee. FOX 2 photojournalist Abby Palmer captured a notable photo just outside the high school.

Lebanon & O’Fallon, Illinois

Severe storms maintained their intensity across state lines, causing damage to mobile homes, barns and traditional homes. FOX 2 viewer Sassafrass Flick took a drone tour of both Lebanon and O’Fallon, Illinois. Among the most dramatic images were a barn that collapsed inward with its roof torn off, another barn with shingles displaced, and intense hail damage to the siding of a residential home.

Villa Ridge

Villa Ridge was slammed with widespread storm damage. The biggest story overnight was the apparent collapse of a roof of a Burger King, where one storm chaser is believed to have caught a tornado striking it in real time on video. The Franklin County Sheriff confirmed that everyone inside at the time was rescued safely. Still, it will take time to pick up pieces for the Burger King, along with businesses, schools, homes and trees around the area. Photos are from FOX 2’s Max Diekneite and Daniel Woodfield (some featured on Nexstar’s NewsNation programming), along with FOX 2 viewer Charing Cross.