Three months after the May 16 tornado ripped apart lives and structures in neighborhoods surrounding the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis headquarters, the historic building at 1408 North Kingshighway was a haven of happiness, health care and economic empowerment.
The organization’s annual Urban Expo moved from America’s Center this year and was held on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Urban League — closer to thousands of residents impacted by the tornado.
Mental health, health challenges in the Black community, wealth building and home buying were among the seminar topics at the daylong event. Community organizations and not-for-profits filled almost every space in the headquarters, offering resources and information.
“We are always proud to host the Urban Expo. To do it here at our headquarters is extremely special for us,” Michael P. McMillan, Urban League president and CEO, said as hallways buzzed with activity.
Outside, hundreds of children and family members picked up school supplies, played in bounce houses, enjoyed food truck cuisine and participated in other recreational activities. The 100-plus degree heat index didn’t damper the enthusiasm.
“To bring together fun, health, economic empowerment, back to school giveaways — it is an amazing day,” McMillan said .
The Urban League’s Disaster Relief effort has been the anchor of the region’s response to the catastrophic storm. The recovery effort in many parts of the city’s northside “will take at least a decade,” McMillan predicted.
“Most importantly, the community displayed how incredible it can be. St. Louis showed up with its time, its talent, its resources. It demonstrates how truly special St. Louis can be and will be.”
The tornado claimed five lives and caused an estimated $1.6 billion in property damage. Over 5,000 homes, businesses and churches were damaged, and many were destroyed. An estimated 70% of homes and businesses impacted by the tornado in north St. Louis did not have insurance or were under-insured.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency extended its deadline to apply for federal assistance to Aug. 26. The city, which sought an extension until October, announced last week that up to 700 eligible households had yet to apply.
FEMA disaster recovery centers remain open at the Urban League Entrepreneurship and Businesswomen’s Center at 4401 Natural Bridge, and Union Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 626 North Newstead.
Both centers are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the Urban League FEMA center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
The state Department of Public Safety said this week that tornado cleanup in the St. Louis area will cost at least $730 million, twice as much as the original estimate. The federal government will cover about 75% of that total, leaving about $180 million in the state’s hands.
The state approved $100 million in tornado aid for the region during a special session of the Missouri legislature in June. The funds could be used to cover part of the new cleanup balance.
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has allocated $30 million from interest on the $250 million Rams Relocation Settlement to a tornado relief fund to support home repairs, community services and disaster relief. The amount could be increased with the cost estimate for cleanup rising.
James Clark, Urban League vice president of public safety, said his organization is focused on delivering services to the community as the summer nears its end and schools open.
“We must respond to the critical needs of our community now. We are cutting through the red tape and doing anything for families that are in need,” he said.
Clark said the ongoing tornado recovery effort “has got to lift from the bottom and work its way to the top,” and he also issued advice for future discussions.
“We must not attack each other. We must attack the problems left behind by the tornado.”
Throughout the summer, the Urban League held large resource distribution events, which served up to 3,000 people on Saturdays. Two Food Truck Saturdays were held in July, and they will return this Saturday and on Aug. 30.
“Our community has never dealt with something as devastating as this tornado. This community has responded in spectacular fashion. We must continue in the coming days, weeks, and years ahead,” McMillan said.