Tornadoes Devastate St. Louis and Kentucky — A Sobering Reminder of the Need to Be Prepared
At least 28 lives lost. Entire neighborhoods flattened. Families facing the unthinkable.
Over the past week, a violent outbreak of tornadoes swept through St. Louis, Missouri, and parts of western Kentucky, leaving behind catastrophic damage and deep community grief. As we’ve seen far too often, the storm didn’t discriminate — tearing through homes, schools, mobile home parks, and rural roads. But history tells us the most vulnerable — the elderly, disabled, and low-income families — are the ones who suffer the longest after the winds die down.
We’re closely monitoring the situation and remaining in contact with local partners and officials to assess how and where support may be needed. While we haven’t yet deployed to these areas, we are always preparing, planning, and standing ready to act if called upon.
🎥 Aerial footage and survivor stories are emerging — watch here:
Tornado Devastation in Kentucky and St. Louis (Video)
The Human Toll
This storm system is a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change. Within minutes, families lost everything — homes, cars, personal mementos, and in too many cases, loved ones. In Kentucky, small rural communities have been especially hard hit. In St. Louis, damage to infrastructure has complicated search, rescue, and recovery efforts.
As always, we’re focused on what comes next: ensuring that those who are often overlooked in disaster response get the help they need — and not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the long, slow process of rebuilding.
Be Tornado-Ready: Tips That Save Lives
Tornadoes can strike with little warning. As we’ve seen in this and countless other events, being prepared can make all the difference.
Here are a few key steps every household should take:
✅ Know Your Safe Place: An interior room without windows on the lowest floor, such as a bathroom or closet. Mobile home residents should plan a safer shelter nearby.
✅ Have an Emergency Kit Ready: Include water, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, medications, non-perishable food, and copies of important documents.
✅ Stay Alert: Sign up for emergency alerts via NOAA Weather Radio, mobile apps, or local emergency services.
✅ Check on Neighbors: Elderly and disabled individuals may need extra help getting to safety — your check-in could save a life.
We encourage every community to take tornado preparedness seriously. It’s not just about weathering a storm — it’s about protecting the people who are most at risk of being left behind.
How You Can Help
The work of recovery doesn’t end when the storm does. It takes volunteers, donors, and partners working together long after the cameras leave. While we are not currently deployed to these tornado-affected areas, your continued support allows us to stay ready and act swiftly when we’re needed most.
💛 Want to be part of the recovery movement
Support our disaster readiness efforts directly:
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