ST. LOUIS — Mayor Cara Spencer said Sunday she doesn’t know why federal emergency response teams have not arrived in St. Louis after a tornado tore through much of the city two days earlier.
At least five people were killed and dozens more injured in the tornado Friday that moved from Clayton through Forest Park and into north St. Louis neighborhoods including Fountain Park, Kingsway East and the Ville. About 5,000 structures were damaged.
The mayor stressed that the delay is not on the city’s end when asked if budget cuts may be a factor in the lack of presence from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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“I don’t know what the holdup is,†Spencer said at a news conference Sunday evening at the St. Louis Fire Department Engine House 26 in north St. Louis.Â
The price tag on the storm damage in the city has reached a conservative estimate of $1.6 billion, Spencer said.
Many homes and buildings in the city are unstable and could be particularly dangerous as rain moves in Sunday night, city officials said.
“Please find a safe place to go while the weather is coming,†said St. Louis fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.
The American Red Cross opened three shelters at Grace United Methodist Church, 6199 Waterman Blvd.; Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive; and the 12th & Park Recreation Center, 1410 S. Tucker Blvd.
Spencer said additional shelters will be opening in the city’s community centers.
