St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer acknowledged that a mishap prevented tornado sirens from warning residents about a deadly tornado.

ST. LOUIS — What was meant to be a joyful end-of-school-year tradition turned into a harrowing encounter with a tornado for a Godfrey mother and four children visiting the Saint Louis Zoo Friday afternoon. Ashleigh Schroeder had taken her two kids and two of their friends—ages 9 to 12—for a celebratory day at their favorite spot.

A Jackson State University student narrowly escaped with her life when a tornado struck her hometown of St. Louis.

The 23-mile-long twister claimed the lives of five people and caused over $1 billion in damages in the St. Louis region on Friday.

Residents on May 17, 2025 in the Fountain Park and Academy neighborhoods talked about their experiences and feelings during and after a tornado hit the area on May 16. Video

As the city of St. Louis continues to pick up the pieces of what Friday's tornado left behind, for residents who live in St. Louis City proper, it's rare to experience this kind of deadly tornadic activity.

At least two tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the 5 On Your Side viewing area on Friday after severe storms rolled through the area.

The storms were part of a weather system on Friday that killed 19 people in Kentucky, seven in Missouri and at least one person in Virginia.

The National Weather Service says there’s a chance of severe thunderstorms for central Missouri, with a threat of hail and damaging wind. While those storms are expected to weaken as they move east, St. Louis could see heavy rainfall stretching into Monday morning.