St. Louis County executive details tornado cleanup, reopens animal shelter and outlines support to St. Louis city

County Executive reported Tuesday that county crews and municipal partners are continuing cleanup and recovery after a tornado that struck parts of St. Louis and St. Louis County on Friday.

In remarks to the St. Louis County Council, the County Executive said the focus "was on people, supporting our neighbors, our friends, and the communities that were the hardest hit." He said Transportation and Public Works and Parks crews were deployed alongside municipal crews in Clayton, Richmond Heights and University City to clear roads and restore access for emergency services.

The County Executive told the council that two county parks, Jefferson Barracks and Tillis, sustained "significant damage" but have reopened while cleanup continues. He urged motorists to treat intersections where street lights remain out as four-way stops and said residents with debris on private property in unincorporated areas should coordinate with their trash haulers for pickup.

The County Executive said the county extended support services across the county line to assist the city of St. Louis, including traffic control and debris clearing. He also warned residents about disaster-related scammers and recommended verifying contractors through the Better Business Bureau and confirming licensing and bonding before paying for work.

On animal shelter operations, the County Executive reported that the county's Animal Care and Control Adoption Center reopened after a quarantine and isolation period related to a parvovirus contamination. He said staff completed "extensive contamination efforts" and that "no new cases of parvo virus have occurred since May 1." The county launched a pilot foster program during the closure; it began with shelter staff and has expanded to volunteers, with plans to open to the public soon. The executive also said the shelter is now a certified "fear free" facility and that veterinary and shelter staff will present more details at the council's committee of the whole next week.

The County Executive closed his report by noting invitations were delivered to his office for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new U.S. Handball Center in Hazelwood next week.

Discussion/Direction: The remarks were a briefing from the County Executive to the council and did not include formal council decisions. Council members were asked to pass along storm reports to staff; no vote was taken on the operational items described.

Ending: The County Executive thanked first responders, utility crews, volunteers and state and federal officials who assisted in recovery efforts and said the county remains committed to supporting affected communities.