May 16 Tornado Recovery Resources
The tornadoes that touched down in St. Louis on May 16 had a devastating impact on many members of the Saint Louis University and St. Louis community. We pray for all who have suffered injury and loss, and who continue to experience the heartbreaking toll of this catastrophic storm.
We extend care and support to those who have been affected, and those who are caring for family, friends, loved ones, neighbors, and the St. Louis and regional communities.
Support for students
The primary point of contact for all students affected by the May 16 storm is the Dean of Students Office. Students can contact – or be referred to – DOS for comprehensive support and resources, at 314-977-9378 or deanofstudents@slu.edu.
Support for employees
If you are an employee who has been directly impacted by the tornado, please email hr@slu.edu so we can offer direct support and assistance to you. University leaders have been asked to be as supportive as possible in offering you time to care for your homes, your families, and your loved ones.
- Please work with your manager or supervisor to arrange for the time you need to care for your home, your family, and other responsibilities. We have asked leaders to be as supportive as possible in meeting these requests.
- In addition to community resources, SLU’s Helping Our Own fund is a source of support for employees experiencing a financial crisis.
- EAP resources are also available, offering confidential counseling to SLU employees and families as we cope with times of stress.
Community resources
Faculty, staff, employees, or community members who were affected by the storm can also access support from these community resources:
- United Way 211: May 2025 Tornado Response
- The City of St. Louis, which includes a list of emergency shelters
- Catholic Charities of St. Louis: Intake form
- The People's Response Hub will offer needed supplies from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at O’Fallon Park Rec Center at 4343 W. Florissant Ave. The team will also offer dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. daily at O’Fallon Park.
- Prescription medication support: Call 314-222-0472 for free 90-day supplies of medications from the Rx Outreach Relief Fund.
- Local media outlets, such as St. Louis Public Radio and KMOV Ch. 4, have shared a number of additional resources.
Ways to help
Please share grace and care with your colleagues, students, and neighbors. You may wish to organize meal trains or other forms of support for affected colleagues in your department, school, college, or division – we encourage you to do so.
Helping Our Own is a program that is funded by Saint Louis University employees to help other SLU employees who are facing a financial crisis. You can donate to this fund to help colleagues at this or in future times of need.
SLU employees who wish to volunteer during what would otherwise be their normal work day may do so for one full day without loss of pay or need to use vacation time. Please work with your supervisor or manager to arrange this day off work to volunteer, so that they can ensure essential University operations are covered.
There are numerous and ongoing community calls for donations, supplies, and volunteer support. We are sharing several of them here; please keep an eye on local media and community networks for additional opportunities.
Local media outlets, such as St. Louis Public Radio and KMOV Ch. 4, have also listed additional opportunities to donate or volunteer in support of recovery efforts.
Supplies and donations
- Priority supply needs and drop-off points are listed on the City of St. Louis website.
- Tornado Relief Night at City Foundry from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at 3730 Foundry Way. Requested donations include non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, diapers, formula, trash and lawn bags and work gloves.
- Donate non-perishable food, tools, water and other supplies at the YMCA located at 4343 W. Florissant Ave.
- City of St. Louis Tornado Relief Fund
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Disaster Relief Fund
- United Way Greater St. Louis Storm/Tornado Relief Fund
Volunteers
- The People's Response, organized by Action St. Louis and For the Culture STL
- Love the Lou Tornado Relief
- Early Childhood Centers Tornado Relief
- The United Way Volunteer Center
We will continue to learn more about the needs in our community and identify additional opportunities to help. We will keep you updated.