St. Louis still struggling to rebuild six months after deadly EF-3 tornado

EF-3 tornado in St. Six months after it ripped through St. Louis, killing five people and causing an estimated $1.6 billion in damage, parts of the city are still littered with broken windows, blue awnings and homes untouched since May.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has previously warned that tornado-damaged communities cannot rebuild without strong federal intervention.

St. In St. Louis, residents say they are still waiting for the help they were told would be coming.

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Benjamin Anderson has lived in one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the earthquake for seven years and owns several rental properties in the area. He was at work a few miles away when the storm hit.

“I was bombarded with about 37 messages from my father with photos of our buildings. They were completely… some literally completely destroyed,” he said, adding that one of his multi-unit buildings sustained six-figure damage. “After spending a year and a half putting our hearts and souls into a building… it wasn’t a fun experience to come back to.”

He said the recovery process has been slow and confusing, even for someone familiar with contractors and insurance systems.

“I applied to FEMA Five times with 4 or 5 different features. And we got rejected every time,” Anderson said. “I never heard of anyone coming to me, and I got a check from FEMA for $10,000, and that’s really going to help me get these things done.”

Millions of dollars in federal aid has been approved for Missouri storm survivors, including temporary housing assistance and low-interest SBA loans, according to FEMA. But the agency noted in its October recovery update that many applications required tracking documents and that some denials were later overturned on appeal.

Hurricane, this is St. It tore through the roof and upper floors of the St. Louis building, leaving exposed beams and debris behind. (FOX NEWS)

Those who live in the area say the need is greater than the aid.

Some neighbors have already left indefinitely so contractors can work, Anderson said, while others have no idea where to start. While walking around the neighborhood, he came across a man who was still camping in front of his house because his house was registered and had no electricity.

On the other hand, some people tried to take advantage of this situation.

“There were people coming through the neighborhood that same day … like opportunistic roofers and window guys,” Anderson said, adding that he turned down a man with a Florida license plate who offered to put an awning on his roof for $2,000.

He later saw similar tarpaulins on other houses and saw neighbors paying out of fear.

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Not everyone has lost their home completely, but many go through a long and confusing recovery process.

Homeowner Misty Williams considers herself lucky but still distressed.

“It’s okay. There was some damage to our house,” Williams said. “Thank God, you know, it was such a small incident. My heart goes out to people, you know, it’s a total loss.”

Six months after the hurricane, St. Boarded windows and a tattered linoleum remain in this St. Louis home, showing just how much work is still unfinished. (FOX NEWS)

Still, he said the money they received didn’t cover everything. “Sometimes the cost of repairs far exceeds the amount you were quoted,” he said.

Williams said he is hopeful about a new city program called STL Recovers that helps hurricane survivors understand what assistance they qualify for and how to begin repairing their homes.

Experts say the emotional impact often hits hardest during the six-month period.

Clinical psychologist Dr. “The six months after a major natural disaster is an important psychological time,” said Joshua Klapow. “Six months is usually the end of the adrenaline rush, so to speak. And now we’re benefiting from much deeper endurance efforts.”

He said survivors often feel more worn out months later than they did immediately after the storm. “Individuals can often feel like they don’t have the strength to continue,” he said. “This is when feelings of sadness and loss can really hit home.”

Winter weather can make this even more difficult. “Cold weather, less daylight…those two things can combine as you’re also trying to get your life back together,” Klapow said.

Storm-ravaged St. Louis, where it appeared someone was camping on the property months after the hurricane. There is a tent in the garden of a house in St. Louis. (FOX NEWS)

St. In St. Louis, residents like Anderson hope the next six months will look different than the last six months.

“There are still people sleeping outside their homes and it’s starting to get colder,” he said. “Hopefully their situation gets resolved and maybe they get some of that help to get back inside in the winter.”

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City leaders recently announced an expanded recovery effort, including a shelter and transitional housing program announced by Mayor Cara Spencer, aimed at helping families still unable to return to their homes six months after the storm.