ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — Severe weather on Friday night caused one death and much destruction in St. Charles County.
Much of it was concentrated near Highway 94 near Defiance, where people stood in awe of the wake of destruction left behind.
Saturday morning, residents were left with cold weather clean-up. County officials have asked for the assistance of Americorps, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross.
At Highway F and Stubb Road, all that remains is the foundation of a home. The son of the elderly couple who lived there says his 84-year-old mother died at the hospital from her injuries, and his father, also 84, is still hospitalized.
First responders say the couple was blown out of their home and found, alive, on nearby property. High winds also destroyed the garage and blew a car right out of it.
Next door, the home of Rich and Marsha Vance did not fare much better. Rich said they took cover in the basement.
“We looked at each other and we didn’t know what was happening,” said Rich. “We were standing at the bottom of the stairs and I looked up and saw the sky. I said, ‘Marsha, I think the house is gone.’”
Damage is equally as bad at the intersection of highways 94 and F. Several homes there sustained major damage. Saturday morning utility crews worked to untangle power lines and restore electricity.
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said, “We want to thank Ameren and Cuivre River for getting out here. The only thing holding us back Friday night was power lines blocking the road. We really couldn’t send our people out to start clearing the roads until they got here, and they responded.”
Back at F and Stubb Road, a formally flat, rectangular metal sign, bent into a “V”-shape, bears testimony to the strength of the wind that blew through here.
St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management Director Chris Hunt said, “I’ve talked to residents down here who said when they got those alerts on the phones or when they heard the sirens, they went to their basement, they sought shelter, and I’m confident it saved lives.”
Officials said any further information can be found on the St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management social media pages. Ehlmann said crews are inspecting homes that were damaged to make sure they are safe to enter.