May 16th: Tornado Impact on STL Area
There was a stillness in the air that day. Many were excited and preparing to attend the Caring Communities Celebration at Better Family Life. Who knew that the universe had other plans? That afternoon, most neighborhoods were plunged into darkness at 2:39 pm. There was darkness inside homes, businesses and buildings went dark, and entire neighborhoods followed. Better Family Life, the venue for the Caring Communities event, was also plunged into darkness, immediately canceling the Caring Communities event.
That day, high winds raged all around/ Loud crashes echoed as trees were ripped from the ground, and in other areas buildings imploded. Just as suddenly as it began, the storm ended. The bright sun reappeared. The damaging storm lasted only 26 minutes.
Numbers are generally finite, limited, and unchangeable. But on the day of the tornado, May 16, 2025, that was not the case. The numbers kept changing. Numbers still prevail; they reveal a great deal about the impact the tornado had on families and neighborhoods.
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The F3 tornado touched down at 2:39 pm.
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The duration of the tornado was 26 minutes.
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The path of destruction was 23 miles.
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66,000 customers lost power - some for a day, others for weeks.
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There were seven fatalities and 38 injuries.
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5,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged.
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$1.6 billion in losses were reported.
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Since the tornado, the St. Louis Urban League has served over 27,000 families and distributed 5,000 free meals.
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Jandra Carter: A Story of Survival
Jandra Carter, former State of Missouri Department of Mental Health Caring Communities Coordinator, is working hard to recover from a large tree that fell on her and trapped her during the tornado. She is making steady progress. At this point in her journey, she is working with her physical therapist, Matthew.
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Jandra says about the experience is "God is good. I give thanks every day that I am still here."
Prior to the tornado, Jandra worked tirelessly on the planning committee to organize the St. Louis event on May 16th, the tornado was almost fatal for Jandra. After exiting her car, she was knocked down by a flying tree as the storm reached its height. She laid on the ground, rain pelting on her, unable to move. She screamed until her husband Al found her. It was hours before she was rescued and transported to the hospital. There, she was diagnosed with two broken ankles and a spinal fracture.
Over the past four months. Jandra has bravely endured four successful surgeries, twelve weeks in a spinal brace, time in a wheelchair, and is now making progress in physical therapy. She has a strong resolve to get back to normalcy.
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"I feel very blessed. God has been good to me and I am beyond grateful that my husband Al has been my primary caretaker. He is the epitome of what they say "For better or worse." He's been really taking care me. I am grateful for all the cards, phone calls, text messages, flowers, and visits. God has been very good to me.
Jandra Carter working hard in rehabilitation therapy
When Trees
Became Weapons
Trees are natural markers of a community; symbols of growth, change, cultivation, and longevity. But on the day of the tornado, those same trees became weapons hurled by the violent winds.
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Khatib Waheed was on his way to the event at Better Family Life on Page, when his car was struck by a massive tree limb. He had to be cut out of his vehicle. Thankfully, he only sustained minor injuries.
