St. Louis is in recovery mode after a powerful storm ripped through the city on May 16, leaving five people dead, dozens injured, and thousands of properties damaged. But the storm wasn’t the only thing raising concerns—residents never heard the warning sirens.
Mayor Cara Spencer has now taken swift action, placing the city’s top emergency official, Sarah Russell, on leave after it was revealed that her team wasn’t in the office when the storm hit. Without anyone there to push the button, the city’s alert system failed when it mattered most.
Fire Captain John Walk is stepping in to lead the City Emergency Management Agency while the search begins for a permanent replacement. To prevent future breakdowns, the mayor has moved siren control directly under the fire department.
This devastating storm wasn’t just a local disaster. It was part of a larger weather system that slammed the Midwest and East Coast, killing over 30 people and leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. In St. Louis alone, more than 5,000 properties were damaged, and the city’s storm bill could hit $1 billion.
While local crews and volunteers jumped into action, the mayor says federal help has been missing in action. As of May 19, there was still no FEMA presence on the ground, prompting Spencer to call out the lack of urgency in Washington.
“This is what the federal government is for,” she said, urging faster support as the city tries to rebuild.
Right now, it’s clear St. Louis needs more than clean-up crews—it needs answers, accountability, and backup.
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