Tornado Debris

St. Louis is preparing to start demolishing homes hit by the May tornado, but city officials say they need the state to expedite federal funding.

Washington University’s CLEAN STL project is set to test and examine the soil and air for contamination in neighborhoods devastated by the May 16 tornado.

Cote Brilliante was one of a few Black churches in north St. Louis that were heavily damaged by the May tornado. It has since been demolished, and church members say it feels as if their childhood home was destroyed.

City officials say only $4 million of the $30 million of Rams settlement funds allocated toward tornado relief has been spent due to bureaucratic issues. Residents and city leaders urged staff to expedite the process.

More than four months later, north St. Louis streets, alleyways and sidewalks are starting to look clearer as city contractors remove debris from the May 16 tornado. But neighbors say the job isn’t as far along as they’d like, and in some cases the work is falling short.

St. Louis was recently awarded millions in support from the federal government to help clear debris from private property. City officials want residents to start preparing now for the upcoming debris removal and demolition.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s office said FEMA is providing a lump sum and will cover 75% of eligible debris removal costs, with the state covering the remaining 25%.

In the wake of the May 16 tornado, applications for demolition permits on private property doubled. Property owners are making tough decisions to raze their homes, and whether to stay or leave the city.

The city says the money from interest collected on the Rams settlement will fund stepped-up debris removal over the next four to eight weeks and focus on different neighborhoods each week.

It’s been nearly four months since an EF3 tornado ripped through parts of St. Louis. Community members stepped in where the city didn’t to help clean up the rubble, and some volunteers are still getting calls to remove that lingering debris in north St. Louis.