19-05-2025
Community rallies in north St. Louis after devastating storm
ST. LOUIS – In the wake of last Friday's deadly storm, heartbreak has turned into action. With damage stretching across north St. Louis, the community didn't wait for help—they became it. And what's rising from the rubble is something powerful: hope, unity, and a fierce determination to protect what's left.
Tents and tables popped up across the north St. Louis as residents provided tarps to local businesses and homeowners bracing for Monday's expected rain.
Volunteers spent Sunday tarping Annqunette Thirdkill's roof, one of thousands damaged in the storm.
'First of all, the entire roof is off where you can see out of my niece's bedroom—into the bathroom,' Thirdkill said. 'And then so now we're trying to put the rafters together just stable enough to put a tarp over it, or maybe just some plywood and then tarp.'
The home has been in Thirdkill's family for 72 years, spanning five generations. A GoFundMe has been established to help the family remain in their home.
On Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard near Marcus Avenue, tables of free food, drinks, and clothing were set up for anyone in need. Faith leaders and nonprofits banded together to serve, organize, and transport residents to safety.
'Different community organizations, development organizations. And they just decide to structure, set up, and, you know, help the people that got the support here. We have to leave contact numbers, get contact numbers. Even vans will be driving around helping people, picking them up, trying to get them to safety,' Pastor Pamela Paul, Faith, Hope & Love Worship Center, said.
One woman shared that she was on the verge of eviction. Volunteers quickly raised $750 to keep her in her home.
At Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, the grills were hot and the mission was clear: help everyone they can.
'Hamburgers, hot dogs…we're taking names for our mission outreach program for our young people, our senior citizens, for the community, for Marcus and Page, all the way over to Marcus and Natural Bridge,' Yonzella Ware-Jackson, Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, said.
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