Tornado Tears Through Clayton and North St. Louis, Leaving Trail of Destruction

St. Louis, Mo. (KFMO) - Missouri is reeling after severe storms Friday spawned a large tornado that touched down in Clayton, causing widespread damage across the St. Louis area and leaving at least one person dead.

The violent weather uprooted trees, knocked down power lines, and shattered windows in apartment buildings. In Clayton, streets were littered with tree debris and glass, and several buildings suffered significant structural damage. Other parts of the St. Louis metro saw building collapses and widespread destruction.

City officials report that approximately 20 blocks in north St. Louis were impacted by the storms. Kinghighway Boulevard between Barnes Plaza and Delmar has been rendered impassable in both directions. Additional road closures include Skinner at Forest Park on the south and west sides, Vandeventer at Delmar on the east, and Highway 70 at West Florissant on the north.

Survey crews from the National Weather Service are expected to begin assessing the tornado damage on Saturday to determine its strength and path.

Emergency response teams continue to clear debris and assess structural damage, with power restoration efforts underway across affected neighborhoods. Residents are urged to avoid storm-damaged areas and be alert for downed lines and unstable structures.