Since our usual weatherguys aren't around tonight, I thought I would get this out.
This story is breaking as we speak as of 9:30 cdst this Friday night as a tornado breakout in the Midwest has caused extensive damage to Concourse C at Lambert Field. So far there is no reports of anything but minor injuries, but debris is everywhere.
Other points:
Parts of I-270 is closed with emergency crews dealing with overturned tractor trailers and downed trees and wires;
Lambert Airport is CLOSED with all flights being diverted elsewhere;
Rescues are going on at the airport as some passengers were stuck on planes when the tornado hit. The Weather Channel reported a tweet from a passenger who said the tornado lifted his plane while it was on the ground;
Cars were flipped at the airport;
Extensive damage is being reported in the St. Louis area;
80,000 people are without power;
Powerful storms are moving east into Southern Illinois and Kentucky.
My hopes and thoughts are with those in the St. Louis area.
I have to say this does not sound good at all.
I second Weatherguy's frustration with cable news. No one is reporting this story right now but the Weather Channel. This is ridiculous.
I will try to update under the fold as I can gather information. I'm not very good at posting pictures and videos and even links correctly so bear with me.
More information:
Traffic stopped westbound on I-70;
50 homes damaged in Maryland Heights, MO (not IL. I knew that but typed the wrong thing -- corrected and thanks).
A plane was lifted 30 feet off of the ground and slammed down on the tarmac.
Raw footage from CBS 44
http://www.wevv.com/...
News people are saying that the airport took a direct hit.
Pictures shows major damage.
People are still trapped on planes.
I'm typing very fast to get this update so I'm sorry if this blog is not up to standards.Updated by smoothnmellow at Fri Apr 22, 2011 at 10:05 PM CDT
Update 2:
Airport garage took major damage. Transport bus is hanging off the side of the roof of garage;
Mayor and all officials on the way to the airport if they can get there because there is damage everywhere around the airport area;
Springfield, IL is taking diverted flights; some have been diverted to Chicago and Kansas City, MO.
Update 3:
Air National Guard building damage;
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Steeple blown off in the middle of good Friday services
*CNN has breaking news on some airstrike near Gadhafi compound*
CNN HN is showing... wait for it.... Showbiz Tonight. I kid you not.
MSNBC is showing Lockup. Really?
Fox is showing O'Reilly Factor. Jeez....
Reporters are having problems with feed, cellphone traffic -- lots of stuff is down
Storms moving east has no tornado warnings attached to it...
Unconfirmed report of a house explosion in Maryland Heights
All of the Interstates around St. Louis is at a complete standstillUpdated by smoothnmellow at Fri Apr 22, 2011 at 10:40 PM CDT
Update 4
Traffic blocked at CC? and St. Charles Rock Rd.
Power poles down at a 45 degree angle.
I-70 blocked at St. Charles Rock Rd and Lambert Rd.
Even news crews are not allowed down the road
Elizabeth and Chambers in Ferguson; 2 story church is now 1 story
Buildings and house leveled; reporter says it’s like a war zone there
Mayor is now speaking. He does not have confirmation on whether it was a tornado (I think the weather folks are saying it was) Main terminal at airport damage.
All hands on deck
Airport closed indefinitely
4 persons transported to hospitals, not believed to be serious
North St. Louis county hit the hardest; Red Cross is setting up triage
All officials will work together
Airport operations: extensive damage in Terminal 1; 50% window damage; people were able to be moved out before the storm hit; Concourse C damage; roads into the Terminal lots of downed trees and power lines. Asking people not to come to the airport. Passengers been allowed to leave. Airlines checking air craft; no known damage. All passengers are off the planes.
Security folk are securing the airport and making security checks. Passengers stuck at airport -- they are looking for shelter for them.
Update 5
Tornado Warning south of the St. Louis area going into IL (Iron and St. Frances counties). Still all clear for the St. Louis county and City area.
Ferguson County Police Chief interviewed (Tom Jackson) said that storm went right through the middle of town. Widespread damage in his town.
Interviewed passengers who were on the plane before the storm hit. Said plane was shaking. Pliot told them that they had the option to get off the plane, but then were told to leave the plane because the sirens went off. Passengers went into the bathroom.