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SLU Supports St. Louis by Hosting City’s Tornado Relief Center

06/23/2025

In the weeks following the devastating EF-3 tornado that struck St. Louis on May 16, hundreds of households have turned to the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) at Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz Arena for help navigating the recovery process.

Survivors of the May 16 tornado wait to be called at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado wait to be called at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Katherine Mathews, M.D., associate dean of health systems science, right, works at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Katherine Mathews, M.D., associate dean of health systems science, right, works at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Survivors of the May 16 tornado receive support at the Disaster Assistance Center in Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The DAC, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Trucks from St. Louis Area Foodbank, the Salvation Army, and the Department of Revenue are parked outside Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The Disaster Assistance Center, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Trucks from St. Louis Area Foodbank, the Salvation Army, and the Department of Revenue are parked outside Chaifetz Arena on June 17, 2025. The Disaster Assistance Center, which serves as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies and resources, is a partnership between the City of St. Louis, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and SLU. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Opened June 9 through a partnership led by the City of St. Louis with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, the DAC brings together more than 30 government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups to provide coordinated support for disaster survivors.

Through the centralized hub, visitors have been able to access a wide range of services, including financial assistance, legal and insurance guidance, housing resources, health care and emotional support, among other help.

SLU has provided both the venue and logistical support for the multi-week effort. University leaders have described the initiative as a natural extension of SLU’s mission to serve the community in times of need.

The Disaster Assistance Center’s final scheduled dates of operation are June 23–26. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call 211 or complete the DAC sign-up form.

Chaifetz Arena is located at 1 South Compton Ave on the SLU campus. Free parking is available in the University’s Olive-Compton Garage, and transportation assistance is provided for individuals with mobility needs.

Additional updates on recovery efforts and available services can be found on the City’s STL Recovers website.

RELATED NEWS: Disaster Assistance Center Opens to the Community in Response to the May 16 Tornado