Crossing Natural Bridge Avenue, we head into an area of the city that has not gotten much media attention, but was hit just as hard as other neighborhoods to the south. Ashland Elementary, above, was seriously damaged, and from what I understand will be closed past the start of the new school year. In fact, at least six schools will be, unfortunately, and students will be distributed to other buildings. It raises the sad topic that many, many schools are seriously underenrolled. I worry that some of these damaged schools will not reopen. The damaged closed schools, I fear will never be repaired, either.
Cars were damaged, as this scene above demonstrates, and can be seen below, new housing was hit hard by the tornado, as well.
I can’t stress enough that there are whole streets where ever single house has been damaged or destroyed. It is so bad on so many blocks.
There is so much rebuilding to do. I don’t know how many of these buildings are going to be torn down. I don’t want to think about it. I will be looking at more tornado damage in the future, but for the time being, we’ll be moving on to other topics.
Many thanks, Chris, for documenting this destruction. It’s important for all Saint Louisans to see the extent of it.
I went down mlk yesterday and it’s just completely destroyed around maybe Cora ave. You really can’t believe the level of destruction. Seems like the tornado path was 4 or 5 blocks wide. I’m sure with the paltry FEMA funds ($45k per residence) we’ll see a huge population drop in NSTL.
You have given high praise to local media coverage, but the reason I don’t is I feel they often don’t give the full scope of the damage, whether it’s leaving out this devastated area or making it sounds like it only hit in north St. Louis. Talked with others who feel the same. I’m not speaking of every individual journalist or outlet, but this is how I felt after following the news in several major media (maybe it’s changed; I was there visiting for several weeks immediately after it hit but am now home in Maine). While for sure coverage should focus largely on North Side, even when doing so media should give proper background/overview when referencing the storm. Plus it all relates. For example, all or virtually all buildings (apartment buildings not flats, and many large) in my sister’s West End neighborhood we’re damaged, and it was crawling with contractors days after the storm. Yet when I heard a report about organizations on north side, where many lack insurance, having a hard time finding contractors, there was no mention of damage elsewhere and the fact that many contractors were already under contract in these neighborhoods, where most are insured.
For what it’s worth, as you didn’t drive into Fountain Park, I did about 2 weeks post storm and was relieved that homes surrounding the park were intact and many or most not severely damaged, or at least that’s how it seemed to me–I’m not an expert. But as we know the church at one end was essentially destroyed; same for the charmer of a yellow brick commercial strip at the opposite end. But the blocks just off the park that I drove down were absolutely devastated. Euclid School roof was opened; modern school building across the street looked fine, though maybe there was damage I couldn’t see. It was uplifting to see life going on in the park even with the heartbreaking loss of trees. Thank you again for doing this. Good to take a break. Hopefully you will be photographing progress when you return to these areas, whenever that is. One thing is certain–we know you’ll be back. ❤️