St. Louis warns residents ahead of tornado demolitions

St. Louis officials are warning residents in the city’s tornado corridor to expect a dusty summer as contractors demolish hundreds of buildings damaged or destroyed by the May 16, 2025 tornado. St. Louis Public Radio reported on May 22 that city, state and federal crews are set to tear down homes in the coming months, with health officials urging neighbors to limit exposure to airborne debris. City guidance tells residents to close doors and windows, avoid demolition zones and consider respirators if they are near active work sites. The City of St. Louis says the demolition push now spans multiple funding streams. A city announcement on May 11 said more than 120 tornado-damaged properties had been approved for demolition under Missouri’s Senate Bill 1 program, while a May 14 announcement said a separate FEMA- and State Emergency Management Agency-backed program had started with 19 properties and up to 65 structures in that pipeline. Together, the city said, the two programs support more than 470 demolitions in the tornado zone. (stlpr.org) ### Why are officials focused on dust from demolition work? City health guidance says demolition dust can carry asbestos, lead, mold, bacteria and other contaminants from older buildings. The city warns those particles can worsen asthma, COPD and other breathing problems, and says asbestos exposure can pose cancer risks even at small concentrations. (stlouis-mo.gov) STLPR reported that even with water hoses and site preparation, some dust is unavoidable when dry, older homes are torn down. Construction worker Kristie Jenkins told the station crews keep sites wet to cut down what experts call “fugitive dust,” but added, “There’s truly no way to prevent any dust [from escaping].” ### What are residents being told to do near demolition sites? (stlouis-mo.gov) The City of St. Louis tells residents to stay as far away from demolition areas as possible and not cross barricades or fences. Its guidance also says people should not handle debris, should limit time outdoors during demolition periods, especially on windy days, and should clean indoor spaces if dust settles inside. (stlpr.org) City health officials also recommend closing doors and windows to keep dust out of homes and using a NIOSH-approved N100, P100 or R100 respirator if someone must be near a demolition site. The city says residents can also use H14 HEPA filtration in air-conditioning systems and replace filters more often than usual. ### What is the city doing to reduce health risks? (stlouis-mo.gov) The city says buildings are soaked for six to 10 hours before wrecking begins and kept wet during work that generates dust. It also says filters are placed in storm drains to capture runoff from demolition sites and that a certified asbestos-abatement supervisor must be on site whenever material is handled and hauled. (stlouis-mo.gov) STLPR reported that workers on Enright Avenue in the Academy neighborhood were using a heavy-duty hose connected to a truck carrying a large water supply as a house built in 1903 was demolished. The station said the EF3 tornado hit north St. Louis hard and left many older structures unstable or beyond repair. ### How many buildings are in the demolition pipeline? (stlouis-mo.gov) The city said on May 11 that over 120 properties had been approved under the SB1 program and that 36 demolitions were already underway or completed. The same announcement said 74% of those properties were vacant and condemned before the tornado, making them ineligible for FEMA demolition coverage. (stlpr.org) A second city announcement on May 14 said the federally reimbursable phase started with 19 permits issued and as many as 65 structures identified in that program’s pipeline. Those demolitions are taking place in neighborhoods including Greater Ville, Kingsway East, Academy/Sherman Park, Fountain Park, Lewis Place, The Ville, Vandeventer, O’Fallon and Penrose. (stlouis-mo.gov) ### What happens next in St. Louis? Mayor Cara Spencer said the city expects the remaining SB1-approved demolitions to be completed over the next few months. The city says residents with questions about eligible properties or late right-of-entry requests for the FEMA-backed program can contact STL Recovers at 833-925-0977, while demolition and health guidance remains posted on the city’s tornado recovery pages. (stlouis-mo.gov 1) (stlouis-mo.gov 2)