Gov. Jay Nixon Tours Tornado Damage in Hazelwood

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon toured a stretch of neighborhood along Lynn Haven Lane—the area most affected by a tornado that swept through Hazelwood—on Thursday afternoon and said the state stands ready to help local first-responders repair and, eventually, rebuild the city. 

"Homes were destroyed and lives were changed forever," Nixon said after seeing the damage first-hand.

"The community is united and the law enforcement is doing a great job and we are going to get this neighborhood—and all these neighborhoods—back to normal," he said.

Nixon said residents should expect an added police presence in the coming days and weeks in order to ensure those displaced by the tornado—and their belongings—remain safe.

Nixon, who estimated that more than 20,000 residents were still without power because of the storm, also talked with local and county officials to assess the damaged area, and spoke with residents directly affected by the storm. 

The governor said the National Guard is ready to assist, but hasn't been called in yet. 

"It is our hope and expectation that this is localized enough to be handled through the local and state (agencies)," he said. 

Nixon walked along a stretch near the Howdershell Road and Lynn Haven Lane intersection along with Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson, Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel, County Executive Charlie Dooley and Florissant Mayor Thomas Schneider Thursday afternoon. 

The governor declared a state of emergency in Missouri and activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, a release said, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.

Authorities confirmed an EF-2 tornado in Hazelwood Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, emergency crews and residents were working to clear debris and repair homes.

Some homes were beyond repair and as many as 24 homes sustained severe damage, Robinson said. 

Despite the damage, no fatalities or major injuries have been reported. The worst injury, Robinson said, was a reported broken leg. 

After the press conference, Dooley posted on his Facebook page: 

(Nixon) encouraged anyone rebuilding or removing debris to hire locally and to check with local officials for approved contractors.

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