ST. LOUIS — A tornado that struck the St. Louis region on Friday has been classified as an EF-3, with a width of one mile and wind speeds reaching up to 152 mph, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) following a damage assessment conducted over the weekend.
The tornado developed rapidly in Clayton, ripping across nearly 23 miles as it traversed the Mississippi River, before dissipating near Edwardsville. It moved at a speed of approximately 55 mph and caused significant damage in northern St. Louis, impacting areas such as Granite City and Pontoon Beach before lifting near the Southern Illinois University campus in Edwardsville.
The NWS indicated that further analysis is necessary to determine if this event was a single tornado or involved multiple tornadic circulations. Additionally, a separate survey in the Ozarks confirmed another tornado rated EF-2 with wind speeds of up to 115 mph occurring in Des Arc, Iron County. This tornado affected some of the same buildings previously damaged by a tornado on March 14.
Historically, St. Louis has experienced several devastating tornadoes, with the most catastrophic occurring on May 27, 1896, resulting in 255 fatalities. Other significant storms include those in 1927 and 1959, which accounted for 78 and 21 deaths, respectively. Prior to the latest event, more recent tornadoes had resulted in injuries but no fatalities in the city.
Meteorologist Patrick Walsh from the NWS noted that advancements in warning systems and weather monitoring technology have contributed to reducing fatalities during powerful tornado events. Despite the loss of five lives during the recent tornado, these improvements reflect a positive trend in safety measures as communities continue to adapt and prepare for severe weather.
As communities come together to recover from this latest tragedy, it highlights the importance of readiness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.