The National Weather Service conducted initial surveys in the St. Louis area and found the tornado reached at least EF3 intensity. Buildings collapsed, tree limbs littered streets, trees crushed cars and thousands lost power.

St. Louis mayor asks for donations, says FEMA isn't helping after tornado struck city, causing historic damage

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver critical assistance to St. Louis, which was devastated by an unprecedented tornado that killed more than a dozen people Friday.

Both will remain closed while the major damage can be evaluated, repairs planned and carried out, according to a release from SLPL.

ST. LOUIS — What was meant to be a joyful end-of-school-year tradition turned into a harrowing encounter with a tornado for a Godfrey mother and four children visiting the Saint Louis Zoo on Friday afternoon. Ashleigh Schroeder had taken her two kids and two of their friends—ages 9 to 12—for a celebratory day at their favorite spot.

Craig Cole was at the convenience store in his neighborhood of Fountain Park when the storm alerts went off on his phone. He ran to his royal blue Ram truck parked outside.

As St. Louis continues to recover from Friday's devastating EF-3 tornado, which killed five and damaged nearly 5,000 homes, questions remain about how recovery efforts will be funded.

The tornado that tore across the St. Louis area Friday reached EF3 intensity and a mile in width, the National Weather Service said after a damage survey.