Trump Overlooks Impact of St. Louis Tornado Devastation

On May 16, a catastrophic tornado swept through a 23-mile stretch of St. Louis, inflicting approximately $1.6 billion in damages and tragically claiming five lives. While it lacked the ferocity of the infamous 2011 Joplin tornado, the St. Louis incident prompted significant comparisons. Notably, President Trump has not issued a federal emergency declaration, which leaves numerous affected individuals, particularly in historically marginalized Black neighborhoods, without vital FEMA support. Representative Jasmine Crockett highlighted the administration's deficiencies in addressing the crisis. This EF3 tornado, with winds soaring to 150 mph, devastated the city’s northern regions. Over two weeks post-disaster, the absence of federal assistance complicates local recovery efforts, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in disaster response for underserved areas.