I’m calling on all my fellow St. Louisans, our Midwestern neighbors, friends, and leaders far and wide to step up and stand with the city of St. Louis in this critical moment.
There are no words strong enough to capture the devastation our communities have faced over the last few days. Tornadoes ripped through Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and beyond, leaving behind a trail of unimaginable destruction. As of today, at least 28 people have lost their lives and dozens have been injured. Of the 5,000 buildings in the tornado’s path, 4,400 sustained some damage, and the estimated cost of repair exceeds $1 billion.
But our communities know how to get back up.
St. Louis is a place where resilience lives in our DNA. When tragedy strikes, we don’t wait around — we SHOW UP. The largest contractors and builders in the region gathered together with one purpose: to rebuild and restore. Our Clayco team is proud to stand alongside some of the best in business, Tarlton Corporation, BSI, Keeley Companies, Fred Weber, Brinkmann Constructors, PARIC, Alberici, and McCarthy in our commitment to supporting immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts.
Our very own Rick Moeckel is leading Clayco’s response 24/7, providing boots-on-the-ground support, coordinating safety, and using drone surveillance to assess the hardest-hit areas. With more severe weather expected in the next 24 hours, our top priority is keeping people safe. We’re also working hand-in-hand with organizations that always show up when it matters most, like Urban League, Regional Business Council, Centene, and St. Louis Development Corporation.
I have to give a HUGE shoutout to Mayor Cara Spencer, who, as always, is being an absolute boss. She has been out in the community, leading from the front, and pushing forward real action where it’s needed most in the aftermath of the worst storm in St. Louis’ history. This is personal for all of us who call St. Louis home. We drive these streets, we know these families, and we feel this loss deeply. Now is the time for all of us to step up with whatever resources we can. Whether it’s labor, equipment, food, shelter, or just compassion, we all can play an irreplaceable role in helping St. Louis heal.
The road ahead will be hard. But like we’ve done so many times before, we will rebuild it together.
