The 2025 tornado lasted minutes. The recovery will take years. AABCA is making sure the neighborhoods that were hit hardest help rebuild themselves.

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Looking Ahead to 2027: The rebuilding is moving from cleanup to construction, and that is where the jobs and contracts are. The city of St. Louis has set aside $89 million for long-term tornado recovery, plus a $5 million fund for rental repairs. As of Sept. 30, 2026, about $16.1 million had been awarded or put under contract. Most of the money, and most of the work, is still ahead.

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AABCA is tracking who receives recovery contracts and pushing for small and local contractors from affected neighborhoods to share in the rebuilding.   Your contribution, big or small, will make a difference in helping these families rebuild their  lives. Thank you for standing with and supporting St. Louis during this difficult time. 

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The entire city, and those who lost loved ones remain in our thoughts and prayers.

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What happened

On the afternoon of May 16, 2025, an EF3 tornado tore through St. Louis, cutting a path across North St. Louis and neighboring communities. Five people died. More than 5,000 properties were damaged, and losses are estimated at $1.6 billion.

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The damage did not land evenly. In ZIP codes 63107, 63113 and 63115, state insurance regulators estimated that most renters and many homeowners had no insurance when the storm hit. Many families still cannot afford to rebuild on their own.

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Recovery dollars should do two jobs at once: restore homes and put neighborhood contractors and workers to work. The people who live here should help rebuild here.

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What AABCA is doing now

• Following the money: We are reviewing who receives tornado recovery contracts and how much of that work reaches small, disadvantaged businesses in North St. Louis, by ZIP code.

• Opening doors: We help local contractors get certified, registered and ready to bid on recovery projects.

• Speaking up: We attend public hearings and submit comments so recovery spending reflects the neighborhoods it is meant to serve.

• Connecting workers: We link residents to training and jobs on recovery project

 

How we helped in 2025

In the days and weeks after the storm, AABCA answered the call. Mayor Cara Spencer appointed AABCA to the coalition leading the city’s tornado recovery. We worked alongside U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell’s office on community outreach. Scale AI, which has an office in St. Louis, contributed to the effort.

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With the help of volunteers, tradespeople and partners, we gathered and delivered:

• Heavy equipment and hauling: woodchippers, trailers, dump trucks and other equipment for debris removal

• Construction materials: plywood, lumber, tarps, nails and other supplies for temporary repairs and rebuilding

• Essential supplies: trash bags, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, hygiene products and nonperishable food

• Hands-on labor: skilled tradespeople and volunteer crews working on site

Thank you to every person and organization that showed up. That work continues.

Take action

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Are you a contractor? Have you bid on recovery work, been paid late or been left out? Tell us. Your experience helps us push for fairer contracting.

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Are you a homeowner or renter still waiting on repairs? Contact us, and we will help connect you to available programs.

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Want to support this work? Your gift helps AABCA track recovery dollars and keep local businesses in the rebuilding.

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Our hearts are with St. Louis

We grieve with the families who lost loved ones and stand with every neighbor still rebuilding. St. Louis is strong, and we will rebuild together.

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Help line: 636-290-4462
Email: AABCA@aabcastl.org

 

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