Tornado Updates

Hazelwood Editor Survives Tornado: 'I Never Got a Chance to Pray'

Hazelwood Patch Editor Candace Jarrett reflects on experiencing the EF2 tornado that ripped through Hazelwood Wednesday. Where were you when the sudden storm hit?

As I wrap up my almost 24-hour work day, I'm finally able to sit back and think about the fact I survived a tornado on Wednesday. You always look at media coverage and movies where natural disasters happen, and I don't know about you, but I've asked myself time after time: "What would I do if I were in that situation?" First, I would pray to the good Lord above. Second, I would whip out my camera and go into journalist mode. Third, when all the chaos was over, I would ensure my family was OK. When it happens, plans go out the window, kind of like when you deliver a baby. As I drove down Howdershell Road Wednesday night, slowing to a halt near Lynn Haven Lane because of heavy rains, I can't tell you much about what happened because I was in…

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Candace Jarrett

2:13 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013

Thanks Rick. I'm glad to hear your are doing okay also. I haven't seen you on here lately. They always see pets and babies can sense these sort of things.   more ›

Tornado Updates

UPDATE: Apparent Tornado Damage in Hazelwood, Reports Throughout County

St. Louis County Emergency Management reports a confirmed tornado sighting near Wildwood and emergency crews are staging for response in Hazelwood.

The St. Louis area is feeling the impact of severe weather which has been building across the midwest Wednesday, and has resulted in a Tornado Warning from the National Weather Service for much of the area until at least 8:30 p.m. The St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management tweeted that there was a confirmed tornado sighting near Wildwood and that circulation was spotted near Florissant. In Hazelwood, there were reports on KMOV TV that St. Charles County officials were being staged at Armstrong Elementary School for tornado response. For more weather coverage, check out our weather partners at FOX2 News. Additional notes: Have you taken any photos from your area? Share them with us, please, using the Upload Photos and Videos button…

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PHOTOS: Show Us Your Storm and Hail Photos from St. Louis

A strong storm with large hail moved through the St. Louis area early Saturday night.

A strong storm rolled through St. Louis County on Saturday night, producing large hail and rain. Post your storm photos from Clayton and Richmond Heights by clicking the button at the top of this article. Several of Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch's Twitter followers have shared their experiences from the storm throughout the evening:

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Moms Talk Q&A

Moms Talk: Tornado Preparedness for Families

Tell us what you've done to keep your family safe in the event of a St. Louis tornado.

This is tornado season, so this week Patch wants to know how you have planned to assure the safety of your children. Whether you're loaded up with fresh batteries and water or ready to implement your run-for-cover plan, we want to hear from you. So onto this week's question: Have you talked as a family about what you would do in the event of a tornado? Have you practiced that plan? What do you do if your family were separated during a major storm?

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MRH Raises Funds for Tornado-Hit Joplin Schools

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District fundraising effort is part of a statewide initiative.

A fundraiser in support of Joplin Schools students is underway in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District in the aftermath of a deadly tornado that hit the city May 22. The money will be used to purchase clothing, shoes, blankets, pillows and other items, an MRH email newsletter states. The goal is to have each MRH student and faculty member give $1, director of communications Tom Wickersham said. That would amount to $1,284. Because students are out of school for the summer, the district is now wrapping up the faculty portion of the donation campaign. The district likely will write a check to the Joplin school district at the middle or end of this week. Members of the community are invited to donate by contacting any school in the …

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Understanding the Disaster Relief Equation

Both Missouri and the federal government have pledged to give resources as cleanup efforts continue in Joplin following a devastating tornado.

Patch is pleased to partner with Brian R. Hook, editor and investigative reporter for Missouri Watchdog, a news website dedicated to investigative journalism about local, state and federal government across Missouri. We've invited Hook to contribute a weekly column that describes what he's watching and why it's important for Missouri taxpayers. As the recovery process gets underway following the deadly tornado that left behind a four-mile path of destruction in Joplin on Sunday, asking who pays for a natural disaster may seem upsetting. The death toll in Joplin is still rising. Hundreds are listed as unaccounted for. The stories and images of death and survival coming from southwest Missouri are gut wrenching. How could anyone ask about …

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Weather Service: Flash Flooding Expected in Clayton, Richmond Heights

Meanwhile, the inclement weather led to canceled classes at The Heights community center in Richmond Heights.

Flash flooding is expected in Clayton and Richmond Heights following strong storms that came through the cities Wednesday, the National Weather Service reported on its website. Meanwhile, classes at The Heights community center have been canceled because of inclement weather. "Radar estimated that over an inch of rain had fallen over the area ... and more heavy rainfall will occur before the rain stops," the Weather Service stated in an update at about 5 p.m. A tornado watch is expected to continue until 9 p.m. Officials at The Heights canceled land- and water-based classes along with its child care services, an email sent at 5:21 p.m. states. "The Heights will reopen for use after all storm advisories have lifted and remain open until 9:…

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Clayton Fire Officials in Joplin for Tornado Relief Work

The devastating storm happened Sunday.

Chief Mark Thorp and Firefighter Jeff Counts of the Clayton Fire Department are in Joplin, MO, to assist with tornado relief efforts, a city official stated Monday. The two are serving as part of a disaster medical team, Clayton communications coordinator Judy Kekich stated in an email. The devastating tornado happened Sunday. It's not the first time the two have provided assistance following major natural disasters: The two visited Port Au Prince, Haiti, in early 2010 following the earthquake in that country, an article on page 4 of the April 2010 CityViews newsletter states.

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