castle. Lewis -Kevin Hines has lived in a house without a roof since Tornado devastated his community. He saw some of his neighbors sleeping in the car. The other man spent time not mentioned on the bench.
In the aftermath of Tornado on May 16, Heinz, a 60 -year -old, has a blue waterproof gun that covers his house. Nevertheless, the rain is an expected problem at home without a roof after three days. But he didn’t think wild animals would be a problem. Then the bird landed on television. He found a squirrel on the sofa.
He is already enough to handle. He is not sure when his house will be repaired. Toppy trees destroyed the purple Jeep purchased a few months ago. His job told his employees not to work because the building was damaged.
Tornado cuts the road of 23 miles and touched the rich suburbs of Clayton, Missouri, and torn across the Mississippi River through the local community of Eulinois Illinois. According to St. Kara Spencer, at least five people were killed, 38 injured, and about 5,000 structures were damaged. Twister caused more $ 1.6 billion Estimated property damage.
The impact was felt throughout the area, but it would take longer to recover from some regions than other regions. Kayla Reed, a community activist Action St. Lewis Non -profit organizations, which coordinate the help of the victims of storms, said that the residents of black areas, known as North City, are facing long challenges for the next few days.
“We met the natural disasters and a systematic disaster,” Re said. “They have been in a long -term storm for a lifetime. If they live in this footprint, they know that this is the highest infant mortality rate. This is the highest in prison. This is the highest poverty rate.”
Reid said food and water aid provided some slogans, but the community needs more. “I can’t say the time it takes to stabilize some of these families and the trauma they explore,” she said.
The source of the main aid is a federal government that can unlock resources at the discretion of the president. But Missouri I’m already waiting President Donald Trump died in the state in March and April, approving federal support for the remaining damage in three storms. There is Trump Major disaster requests have been rejected. This year, West Virginia and Washington, initially, rejected Storm and Torney in Arkansas for damage. Reversal process And approval for May 13th.
The black family in St. Louis North is worried that the community will prioritize it.
May 19, Governor MIKE KEOE, Republican Party. I requested a Trump problem A federal declaration that approves about $ 5 million for federal support for cleaning efforts. KEHOE also requested federal resources to housing owners and tenants, which are necessary for federal emergency management agencies to evaluate preliminary damages, securing the “major disaster declarations,” to pay federal resources, repay local government efforts, and pay for damaged public infrastructure.
FEMA helped to conduct damage evaluation two days later. But the disaster declaration can take several weeks.
At the press conference on May 21, the mayor said, “It will not be quick to bring FEMA.” “All elected officials at all levels are doing their best to create the process as soon as possible.”
I asked Kristi NOEM, Minister of Homeland Security, at the Director’s Hearing by May 20. Help quickly The withholding aid is a three -star storm and a recent Tornado. “Yes.” She answered.
While the city is waiting, thousands of volunteers are in the parking lot of YMCA’s O’fallon Park REC Complex in St. Louis North.People’s reactionAction St. According to Louis, we have helped more than 5,000 families so far. Volunteers gathered more than 17,280 pounds.
According to locals, the last thing that happened here was after 2014 Michael Brown’s police murder In nearby Ferguson. Rasheen ALDRIDGEAlderman, a part of the area affected by the storm, said it would be helpful after some of the same activists appeared.
Heinz also found a way to help neighbors. He became an informal transportation manager of YMCA and streamed thousands of cars and provided help or provided.
Heinz said, “It’s not about me.” There is no power. “
Residents of North City explained that the moment after the storm was confusing. The power line is damaged. It is difficult to connect with loved ones due to the limited mobile phone service. Then the sun descended and the city’s corners were completely ruined into the darkness.
After five days of tornado, people still needed candles, flashlights and batteries to all night. Street corners full of debris. The outer wall was torn at home and exposed the closet, bedroom and living room to the passengers on the street. Some buildings were flat. Tree on the road of tornado I left a scar You can see it a few miles from the canopy of the city.
Tornado has reversed the semi -trailer outside the new gas station and strip mall, which is scheduled to open this fall. One evening, Charles Stanford, a real estate security guard, sat in the parking lot so that no one tried to enter what was left in the building. Stanford said the project was almost completed. Now it is surrounded by debris and debris.
A huge tree crashed in one of Hein’s neighbor’s house. He said that the woman had recently undergone heart surgery and is recovering at home. But she returns to the hospital and thinks that stress after Tornado is the reason. Heinz planned to bring her to her favorite candy, Hershey’s kiss, to lift her heart.
The 52 -year -old Shannette Boclair said Tornado found her weak father, Albert Noble, on the floor of the fetus after passing through his parents’ house. The window was destroyed and the strong winds knocked on him. Boclair called 911, but the first respondents were overwhelmed by the demand for help and trees blocked. Her father immediately needed medical treatment, she helped his family to help his grandson one mile.
They found out that he broke his butt, she said. He had surgery in a few days.
Boclair, who works as a health and well -being director of YMCA, said it helps to take care of the mother who remains at home after the storm. BOCLAIR said that it depends on the meals provided by YMCA volunteers and employees, but spent about $ 500 for DOORDASH meals to supply food to the family after the tornado hit.
Boclair said he hoped to come soon as soon as the federal assistance proceeded. The community requires garbage collection for debris and reconstruction.
But the support of volunteers poured out and surprised her. People’s reactions attracted many volunteers and the car line flowed outside the YMCA parking lot in North City. The smell of the barbecue was shaken through the air by the residents who baked each other before the electricians were damaged.
Boclair said, “I am proud of our community.” They say we don’t care. We are worried. “
Reid said volunteers would be deployed for several days in YMCA’s parking lot. But she said that it doesn’t mean the end of the job. The community needs more help to rebuild.
KFF Health News is a nationwide newsroom that produces in -depth journalism about health problems and is one of KFF’s core operating programs. Learn more KFF.
Use our content
This story can be posted for free (details).
