Dozens of families begin lengthy tornado damage cleanup in Villa Ridge
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - As the sun came up in Villa Ridge, families saw for the first time just how devastating Friday night’s tornado was.
Richard Crowe, a semi truck driver, was taking photos of his overturned big rig near the gas station and Burger King off Highway 100 where he had pulled over to weather the storm.
Crowe had been in the cab when his truck was pushed more than 20 feet, slamming into another truck nearby. After debris hit him in the head he went to the hospital to get checked out. But after dawn he returned to make sure the contents of his truck were sealed, and to take photos for his employer.
“You can only tempt mother nature so many times before she whoops your butt,” he said.
Families around the small Franklin County community began salvaging their belongings as well. Volunteers showed up to help to clear a path through downed trees that had blocked streets in several places.
Tammy and Greg, who lived along Baker Street, had dashed to the basement just seconds before the entire second story of their house was ripped off.
Their home was one of a dozen damaged houses on the block.
“It’s a miracle we’re all alive. We’re glad to have our family,” Tammy said.
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