http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/07/20/stlouis-storm.html
Summer storm leaves 450,000 in St. Louis without power
Utility officials in St. Louis, Mo., said Thursday it could take up to three days to restore power knocked out by a fierce summer storm, as a scorching heat wave settled over the region.
A violent storm with winds reaching up to 128 kilometres per hour ripped through the American Midwest on Wednesday, leaving approximately 450,000 people in St. Louis without electricity.
Temperatures soared to a scorching 38 C as city workers began to assess the considerable damage caused by the storm. "This is one of the worst storms we can all remember to hit the city of St. Louis in recent years," Mayor Francis Slay said.
Violent winds carried a section of the airport roof from the main terminal and dropped it onto Interstate 70. The storm blew the windows out of a hotel and baseball stadium press box, injuring more than 30 people. Three St. Louis area buildings also partially collapsed in the storm.
Officials said they were concerned the loss of electricity to power air conditioners could endanger residents, particularly the elderly, over the coming days.
St. Louis utility company AmerenUE spokeswoman Susan Gallagher said they've called in every available worker and contractor. They have also asked other utility companies to send available crews to St. Louis.
"This is the worst damage in the history of the company," Gallagher said.
Heavy rain and hail also struck neighbouring Illinois. High winds and lightning downed power lines, leaving approximately 120,000 people in the state without power.
With files from the Associated Press
Summer storm leaves 450,000 in St. Louis without power
Utility officials in St. Louis, Mo., said Thursday it could take up to three days to restore power knocked out by a fierce summer storm, as a scorching heat wave settled over the region.
A violent storm with winds reaching up to 128 kilometres per hour ripped through the American Midwest on Wednesday, leaving approximately 450,000 people in St. Louis without electricity.
Temperatures soared to a scorching 38 C as city workers began to assess the considerable damage caused by the storm. "This is one of the worst storms we can all remember to hit the city of St. Louis in recent years," Mayor Francis Slay said.
Violent winds carried a section of the airport roof from the main terminal and dropped it onto Interstate 70. The storm blew the windows out of a hotel and baseball stadium press box, injuring more than 30 people. Three St. Louis area buildings also partially collapsed in the storm.
Officials said they were concerned the loss of electricity to power air conditioners could endanger residents, particularly the elderly, over the coming days.
St. Louis utility company AmerenUE spokeswoman Susan Gallagher said they've called in every available worker and contractor. They have also asked other utility companies to send available crews to St. Louis.
"This is the worst damage in the history of the company," Gallagher said.
Heavy rain and hail also struck neighbouring Illinois. High winds and lightning downed power lines, leaving approximately 120,000 people in the state without power.
With files from the Associated Press
