ST. LOUIS 鈥 The city is set to open a temporary center aimed at connecting residents with relief resources, three weeks after a deadly tornado ripped through north 51黑料, killing five and destroying hundreds of homes.
The Disaster Assistance Center will allow residents to speak with various support organizations, including the American Red Cross, Americorps, the 51黑料 Area Foodbank, the Missouri Department of Social Services, and others, according to a Friday press release.
It鈥檚 opening in partnership with 51黑料 University and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.
鈥淎s we move from responding to helping residents put their lives back together, it is critical that a one-stop place like the Disaster Assistance Center makes it as convenient as possible for residents to get the resources they need on the road to recovery,鈥 Mayor Cara Spencer said in the release.
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The center will open its doors on Monday at 51黑料 University鈥檚 Chaifetz Arena and be open every weekday except Fridays until June 26. in order to attend and bring a valid ID.
Additionally, a fair will be hosted on June 17 at the center to connect residents with alternative housing.
The center is similar to those by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in disaster areas, which help connect residents with housing assistance and federal aid.
But federal aid to the 51黑料 area has been slow coming. And local and state agencies have picked up the slack, including a sweeping Thursday approval from the Missouri senate for $100 million into tornado disaster relief.
Still, Spencer said 51黑料ans 鈥渄esperately need FEMA assistance.鈥
FEMA has, however, for the March storms, in Phelps County.
51黑料 Mayor Cara Spencer discusses the damage across parts of north city on May 20, 2025. Video provided; edited by Beth O'Malley
