Florissant Assesses Its Damage, Works to Recover

The City of Florissant remains in the throes of clean up and recovery following an EF2 tornado that touched down in Hazelwood and part of Florissant.

Last week, Florissant Police Sgt. Kevin Boschert, who is also the Florissant Emergency Management director, Mayor Tom Schneider and Police Chief Tim Lowery toured the damage sustained throughout the area.

Mayor Schneider said of the damage, the building breakdown includes:

• 380 single-family homes
• Six multifamily homes
• 10 commercial
• One industrial
• One institution
• Three parks

Of the properties, Mayor Schneider said that 23 were uninhabitable, 36 had moderate damage and 195 had light damage.

RELATED: County Assessor Encourages Tornado Victim's to Report Damage for Potential Tax Break

“City crews and volunteer crews are still cleaning up after the storm,” he said. “We hope to be done in time for Valley of Flowers. I’m really proud of our Public Works and Parks employees.” The Valley of Flowers festival will be May 3-5.

Mayor Schneider said that the city is focused on using its resources to clean up the mess, and so far, it’s looking good.

Although several city employees are spread thin with the clean-up efforts, he said that they are taking volunteers to help.

One area that he pointed out needed help was the Imperial Crown Pet Cemetery. On the Florissant Patch Facebook page, Jackie Barnette posted, “The grounds are open 24/7 so anytime you have a few minutes, just drop by and pick up limbs. They can be stacked next to the sidewalk or taken up to the parking lot and stacked to the right of the dumpster. There will be a cart by the office to haul the limbs. Again, anyone with chain saws are welcome to come up anytime and cut up the large trees that fell. All help will be appreciated. Thank you.”

(To help Imperial Crown Pet Cemetery, please call 921-1558 or reach out to Jackie Barnette on our Facebook page.)

Mayor Schneider said Community Development Director Carol O’Mara has been coordinating volunteers.

If you’re interested in helping, please call O’Mara at 314-839-7680.

Find other storm-related articles below: 

• Fox 2 Video: Florissant Tornado Launches Tree Onto House 
• Florissant Storm Sounded Like '5 Freight Trains Running Through House'
• Ameren Worker Killed During Storm Cleanup in St. Ann
• County Assessor Encourages Tornado Victim's to Report Damage for Potential Tax Break
• VIDEO: Florissant Mayor Discusses Wednesday Night Storm
• Aftermath: Tornado Wreaks Havoc on Howdershell Road at Chula
• Photos: Share Your Pics of Tornado Damage in Hazelwood