Hazelwood Safe and Sound After Night of Horrendous Storm Activity

In the wake of what some observers say is a "historic" weather event on Good Friday, Hazelwood Patch was out early this morning surveying the area for damage.

It appears that there was little or no damage in Hazelwood, .

The storms that passed through North St. Louis County caused major damage to other communities near Hazelwood the city including Florissant, Ferguson, Bellfountaine and Spanish Lake.

Even those parts of Hazelwood at North Lindbergh and Missouri Bottom Road just three miles north of , which suffered major damage, fared well.

Social Media Helps People Check on their Family Members

Throughout the night, the use of social media and mobile sites including Twitter and Facebook enabled family and friends to check on each other.

A few excerpts from @HazelwoodPatch on Twitter:

• SistahChef @HazelwoodPatch It's going to be a long night. We hear nothing but sirens. Ahead of us, and behind us in Maryland Heights. 11 hours ago

• SistahChef @HazelwoodPatch Been sitting on 270 for over a half hour. Police NOT allowing traffic near Lambert. Traffic backed up west of 70 to Dorsett. 12 hours ago 

A few excerpts on Facebook from concerned people relieve to know their family was safe:

• Rachel M Ray Ray Did the tornado do damage or go to otehr places in Hazelwood other than the airport? I have family near Lynn Haven and DeVille and near Howdershell and McDonnell BLVD Howdershell and Shakelford? Did any houses have people trapped or any houses destroyed. I still have family unaccounted for in Fergsuon. 8 hours ago 

• PrettyGurl Carter wow.....God is good.

• Charity Davis Thanking God for protecting my family during the tornado!

State of Emergency

Gov. Jay Nixon signed Executive Order 11-06 Friday night declaring Missouri in a state of emergency. The Executive Order activates the State Emergency Management Plan, which allows state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response.

“My emergency management team has been tracking these storms since this afternoon, and we are coordinating with local officials to ensure the safety of Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said. “The state of Missouri is ready to assist at every stage of this emergency to keep Missouri families safe and help communities recover.”

The state of emergency declararation allows state agencies to step in to help including: Missouri Department of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Water Patrol, Division of Fire Safety, Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation, Department of Corrections, Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Social Services and Department of Transportation and the Office of Administration.

Shelter Sites and Aid for Residents

McCluer High School, Ferguson City Hall and the Red Cross in north St. Louis County are open and serving as shelters for North County residents affected by the storm.

is located at Interstate 270 and New Florissant Road and Ferguson City Hall is located off of Florissant Road and Church Street.  

The Red Cross shelter is at the at 2344 McKelvey Road. If you need to reach the Red Cross Emergency Hotline, call 314-516-2700. If you have a mobile device or computer with internet access, you can also visit www.redcrossstl.org.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals can also call 211, the emergency service number.

If you or your church, civic or social organization plan to help out residents displaced in this severe weather, email candace.jarrett@patch.com and Hazelwood Patch will list your contact information.