When severe tornadoes tore through St. Louis and surrounding areas, lives were disrupted and entire communities were left without basic necessities. Heart to Heart International is responding by delivering essential hygiene supplies to those affected.
Devastation Caused by EF3 Tornado in St. Louis, MO
On May 16, 2025, a devastating EF3 tornado tore through central St. Louis, leaving a trail of destruction and loss. The tornado traveled approximately 8 miles, with wind speeds reaching up to 150 mph, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuring at least 38 others.
The storm inflicted an estimated $1 billion in property damage, affecting over 4,400 buildings. At the height of the disaster, more than 100,000 residents were without power, and as of May 18, approximately 36,000 customers remained without electricity due to downed power lines and damaged infrastructure.
Heart to Heart International is Responding to St. Louis Tornadoes
In response to this crisis, Heart to Heart International is working closely with our longtime partners at the Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) to identify and support clinics impacted by the storms. As of this week, six pallets of hygiene kits are en route to three clinics in St. Louis, where they’ll be distributed to individuals and families recovering from the damage.
These hygiene kits provide dignity, comfort, and a sense of normalcy during times of crisis. Each kit includes soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and other hygiene essentials that help families stay healthy as they begin to rebuild.
Read: Heart to Heart International is responding in Myanmar with critical medical aid shipments
Scaling Up Our Response to Reach More Affected Regions
In addition to the St. Louis response, we’re connecting with partners in other storm-hit areas. Communities in Kentucky and Virginia were also impacted and are in urgent need of support. We’re working quickly to explore additional aid shipments to reach those affected by these devastating storms and tornadoes.
How You Can Help
Your support is crucial in enabling us to provide timely and effective assistance to those affected by the tornadoes. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Donate: Your financial contributions allow us to procure and distribute essential supplies swiftly.
- Spread the Word: Share this information with your network to raise awareness and encourage others to support our mission.
You can be part of this response. Your support makes these shipments possible and brings real relief to those in urgent need. Together, we can bring relief and hope to the communities devastated by these tornadoes.