Storm damage

Yesterday was the first time I remember a tornado hitting St. Louis proper. At last count four people have died. Houses collapsed, cars flipped over. 

This time the bad weather also hit landmarks in Forest Park. It took out the stage they use for Shakespeare in the Park. A huge tree is blocking the Big Barnes Hospital right outside the park. The zoo was hit too: more trees are down by the polar bears and "some buildings" are down. (All the animals are fine.)

The zoo immediately closed for repairs yesterday, and it's still closed today.

It's odd because I had planned to go there today in another attempt to see the baby elephant. I even thought, "They're predicting bad weather. I wonder how bad the weather has to be to close the zoo?" So now I know, I guess.

Comments

[KC]

I'd rather remain curious about how bad weather has to be for them to close the zoo, but at least there is that tiny shred of silver lining, I guess?

[theQueen]

KC - well the silver lining is that all animals are okay. The building that might have seemed to have suffered the most damage is the Insectarium, which was being rehabbed anyway.

[Lisa Pinckard]

Hope you and Gary missed the worst. The last few years I find myself dreading April and May starting in January because the storms are so scary severe and hit areas in town (Dallas) they never used to strike. I DON’T LIKE IT! ahem

[theQueen]

Lisa - I know! It does feel like it's getting worse, but maybe they were always there, even in Dallas, and we're only just hearing about it because they track them with radar.

[Big Dot]

St Louis made the news here tonight in NZ. Scary stuff. Stay safe! (That’s a hope, not an instruction. I know you’re too sensible to take risks.)

[TheQueen]

Big Dot - As we did after the tornado that hit our street the night before we flew to Quebec, I think. Or was that a different tornado?