St. Louis Airport: Tornado Damage And Recovery

On April 22, 2011, an EF4 tornado with winds of up to 170 mph (270 km/h) struck St. Louis, Missouri, causing significant damage to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and the surrounding area. The tornado damaged a terminal, knocked out windows, tossed vehicles, and caused extensive damage to aircraft hangars, resulting in a temporary closure of the airport. This event marked the second time in two years that a tornado had hit the airport, with the previous occurrence causing $25 million in damages.

The tornado caused $20 million in damages and repairs

On April 22, 2011, a tornado ripped through St. Louis Lambert International Airport, causing extensive damage. The tornado was part of a series of strong storms that struck central and eastern Missouri. With winds of up to 170 mph, the tornado caused significant damage to the airport's infrastructure, including blowing out windows, damaging roofs, and tossing vehicles. The airport was forced to shut down due to the damage, disrupting travel plans and impacting the airport's operations.

The tornado's impact on the airport's infrastructure was severe and far-reaching. The storm damaged two aircraft hangars, three outbuildings, and a parking lot. Additionally, a large section of the roof was torn off Concourse C, and many windows were blown out. Vehicles outside the airport were tossed by the tornado, including a van that was partially pushed over the edge of a parking garage. The airport's surveillance video captured the chaos of debris swirling inside the airport as terrified passengers ran for cover.

The tornado also impacted aircraft and ground support equipment. American Airlines reported that four of its planes were damaged, two of them significantly. One plane was buffeted by 80 mph crosswinds while taxiing, and another may have sustained damage to its landing gear. Southwest Airlines also reported damage to one of its planes when the wind pushed a conveyor belt into it.

The cost of repairs and renovations at the airport totaled $20 million. This included the creation of a secondary command center for airport personnel and improved tornado shelter signage to enhance emergency preparedness and response. The airport officials sought federal, state, and local assistance to help cover the substantial repair costs.

The tornado was part of a series of strong storms that struck central and eastern Missouri

On April 22, 2011, an EF4 tornado with winds of up to 170 mph (270 km/h) struck the St. Louis metropolitan area, causing significant damage to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and the surrounding communities. The tornado was part of a series of strong storms that battered central and eastern Missouri, unleashing their fury on towns and cities in their path.

The tornado touched down near Creve Coeur Lake at 7:59 PM, initially causing EF0-EF1 level damage to trees. As it moved east, it gained strength and reached EF2 intensity near a golf clubhouse. The storm then wreaked havoc through several suburbs and neighbourhoods, with the worst damage occurring in Bridgeton, where homes were completely levelled. The tornado left a trail of destruction in its 21.3-mile (34.3 km) track, damaging thousands of homes, causing power outages, and leaving a wake of devastation.

As the tornado turned towards St. Louis Lambert International Airport, it showed no signs of abating. Around 8:10 PM, it struck the eastern section of the airport with EF2 intensity. The tornado tore off a large section of the roof of Concourse C, shattered windows, and sent debris swirling inside the airport. Vehicles in the parking garage were tossed and damaged, and aircraft were moved from their jetways by the ferocious winds. The airport was forced to close for nearly 24 hours due to the extensive damage, causing disruptions to travel plans.

The storm system that produced the tornado continued its rampage through the suburbs of Berkeley, Kinloch, and Ferguson. Homes, schools, and churches in these areas suffered extensive roof damage, and trees and outbuildings were not spared. The tornado then moved north of downtown Ferguson, inflicting further EF1 and EF2-level damage. Despite the widespread destruction, there were no fatalities reported, and only a few minor injuries, a testament to the resilience and quick response of the communities affected.

The series of strong storms that struck central and eastern Missouri left indelible marks on the landscape and the lives of those affected. The tornado that hit St. Louis Lambert International Airport was just one manifestation of the sheer force and unpredictability of nature. The clean-up and recovery efforts that followed showcased the resilience and unity of the community as they worked together to rebuild what was lost and protect against future storms.

The tornado caused no fatalities and only minor injuries

On April 22, 2011, an EF4 tornado with winds of up to 170 mph struck St. Louis Lambert International Airport, causing significant damage. Despite the severity of the storm and the extensive damage it caused, there were no fatalities, and only minor injuries were reported.

The tornado touched down at the airport around 8:10 PM, ripping through Terminal 1. The storm blew out windows, damaged roofs, and tossed vehicles, including a van that was partially pushed over the edge of a parking garage. The airport's surveillance footage captured the terrifying scene of debris swirling inside the airport as people ran for cover.

While there were no deaths, a few people sustained minor injuries. It is believed that these injuries were caused by shattered glass as the tornado hit the airport. An Air National Guard facility at the airport was also among the damaged buildings, and several cars in the parking lot were affected.

The tornado caused extensive damage to the airport, leading to its closure for nearly 24 hours. The airport director, Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, assured the public that the airfield was fully functional, and they expected to operate at 70% capacity within a few days. The cost of repairs was significant, totalling around $20 million to $25 million.

The tornado was part of a series of strong storms that struck central and eastern Missouri, including unconfirmed tornadoes reported in several counties near St. Louis. The National Weather Service confirmed at least three tornadoes in the area, with one having winds exceeding 165 miles per hour.

The tornado damaged two aircraft hangars, three outbuildings, and a parking lot

St. Louis has a long history of destructive tornadoes. On April 22, 2011, an EF4 tornado with winds of 170 mph (270 km/h) struck the St. Louis metropolitan area, causing extensive damage to Lambert Airport, Missouri's largest airport. The tornado damaged two aircraft hangars, three outbuildings, and a parking lot at the airport.

The tornado ripped through Terminal 1, causing significant damage. Windows were shattered, sending shards of glass flying and causing injuries to several people. The roof of the terminal was damaged, and vehicles were tossed in the air, including a van that was partially pushed over the edge of a parking garage. The storm's impact on the airport was captured on surveillance video, which showed debris swirling inside the airport as people ran for cover. The damage to the airport was estimated to cost $20 million in repairs and renovations.

The tornado also impacted Concourse C, where a large section of the roof was torn off. Several windows were blown out, and signs were damaged. An aircraft was moved from its jetway by the storm, and passengers were still on board. In addition, baggage conveyor belts were pushed into planes by the wind, causing further damage. American Airlines reported that four of its planes were damaged, two of them significantly.

The tornado caused extensive damage to the airport and the surrounding areas, leaving thousands of people without power. The airport was closed for nearly 24 hours due to the severe damage. The National Weather Service confirmed that the damage was caused by a tornado. Thankfully, no deaths were reported, and only a few injuries were sustained.

The tornado was the strongest to hit St. Louis County or City since January 1967

On April 22, 2011, an EF4 tornado with winds of 170 mph (270 km/h) struck the St. Louis metropolitan area. The tornado was the strongest to hit St. Louis County or City since January 1967, causing extensive damage and destruction in its wake. The twister moved through many suburbs and neighbourhoods, leaving a trail of ruined homes and businesses.

The Bridgeton area was hit the hardest, with several homes completely levelled by the storm. In its 21.3-mile (34.3 km) path across the region, the tornado wreaked havoc, damaging thousands of structures, causing power outages for thousands of people, and inflicting severe damage on St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The airport was forced to close for nearly 24 hours due to the extensive damage, which included a large section of the roof being torn off Concourse C, shattered windows, and tossed vehicles.

The tornado's impact extended beyond the airport, as it crossed into Illinois and tore the roofs off homes in Granite City. The storm system was part of a period of heightened tornado activity preceding the 2011 Super Outbreak. It caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the region, leaving many people without power and causing extensive disruptions to daily life in the affected areas.

The tornado touched down near Creve Coeur Lake at 7:59 PM, initially causing EF0-EF1 level damage to trees. As it moved through the area, it intensified, reaching EF2 and EF3 intensity in several locations, including Maryland Heights, where it collapsed the walls of a house. The tornado briefly weakened but regained strength as it moved into Bridgeton, reaching EF4 intensity and flattening several homes.

The storm system then weakened as it crossed highways 67 and 70, causing high-end EF1 damage to homes in its path. As it turned north towards the airport, it once again intensified, reaching EF2 strength and causing extensive damage to airport infrastructure. Despite the severity of the tornado and the extensive damage it caused, there were no reported fatalities, and only a few minor injuries were recorded.

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