This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 9, 2011 - WASHINGTON - When Lambert-St. Louis International Airport was struck by a tornado on April 22, shards of glass rained down from the main terminal's shattered windows while the high winds and rainfall badly damaged Concourse C.
Miraculously, no one was seriously injured at the airport, and -- nearly as surprising -- some air traffic began moving again just 24 hours after the storm. "We were pretty much fully operational by April 26," recalled Lambert spokesman Jeff Lea on Tuesday, "and we worked closely with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to meet the safety challenges."
This week, the TSA named Lambert as a recipient of its 2011 "airport of the year" award for its tireless efforts to restore flight operations and safety procedures so quickly after the unprecedented tornado strike on a major airport. Lea said the award was shared by another airport in Orange County, Calif.
Congratulating Lambert officials, U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, said "their swift action prevented a dangerous situation from turning tragic. Airport leaders and workers pulled together in a time of need. I have no doubt that their strong working relationship with the TSA also greatly contributed to a quick return to normal."
Although its air traffic level and safety procedures have returned to normal, Lambert is still recovering from the $30 million in damage caused by the tornado. Concourse C remains closed during renovations, and workmen expect to finish replacing the more than 300 broken panes of glass in the main terminal by the end of November.
"By next spring -- a year after the tornado hit -- we hope to fully complete the airport restoration," Lea said. He added that the TSA's Midwest office had nominated Lambert for the annual award.
Carnahan, a member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation, said that "considering the challenges we faced this year, this award is all the more impressive." He praised "the successful partnership [Lambert officials] have forged with the TSA and commend their diligent attention to the safety of the traveling public."