State Treasurer Clint Zweifel: "This is a Community in Which Neighbors Help Neighbors"

Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Hazelwood Thursday to view tornado damage. Zweifel tweeted he was going back to St. Louis to check on family and friends.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that hit Hazelwood  and made a path of destruction through to Florissant, was classified as a preliminary EF-2. An EF-2, the weather service says, typically has wind speeds of 111 to 165 MPH.

Missouri's money manager grew up in North County and graduated from Hazelwood West High School.

"I grew up across from Koch Park (in Florissant)," he told Patch.

Zweifel said seeing the damage done to an area where he grew up was devastating. However, when walking around neighborhoods talking to residents, he was reminded of why he's proud to call the area his hometown.

"Times like this remind me this is a community in which neighbors help neighbors," he said. "We work together here."

Zweifel was quick to add local governments are also reacting remarkably.

"This sense of teamwork isn't just in the neighborhoods though," he said. "Local governments are working together and combining resources to help their citizens quickly and efficiently clean up and recover from this storm."

Zweifel was part of a group of Missouri lawmakers in the area Thursday morning, less than 24-hours after the tornado hit. He, along with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Representatives Margot McNeil (D-Florissant) and Keith English (D-Florissant), spoke with residents and assessed if state level resources are needed.

Zweifel said residents need to take advantage of all offerings for victims.

"There are many resources available to individuals recovering from storms," he said. "Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek help."