Severe Storms Leave Thousands Without Power As Heat Wave Hits

ST. LOUIS, MO — A severe thunderstorm raged across the St. Louis region Thursday evening, downing trees and leaving thousands without power as late as Friday morning. The Post-Dispatch reports more than 20,000 Ameren customers in Missouri and another 40,000 in Illinois are still without power.

Heat indexes are expected to be well over 100 degrees by Friday afternoon, so if you're without power, make a plan now. Officials advise people to avoid poorly-ventilated areas and drink plenty of liquids. If you can get to an air-conditioned environment, try to stay there.

If you have power, consider checking on those who don't, especially the elderly.

Anyone in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area can get information on cooling centers by calling the United Way of Greater Saint Louis at 800-427-4626, or dialing 2-1-1 from a landline phone. You can also call Cool Down Saint Louis at 314-241-7668.

The National Weather Service says storm spotters reported a funnel cloud just east of St. Louis shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday, and a tornado warning was issued for the area, but it doesn't look like it actually touched down. Even so, winds in excess of 70 miles per hour caused extensive damage across the region.

Image via National Weather Service