Governor Nixon Tours Tornado Damaged St. Charles County Neighborhood

Keith Walton, his wife Shannon and daughter were vacationing in Florida on Friday when a neighbor texted that the tornado sirens were going off in their neighborhood on Haversham Drive in unincorporated St. Charles County. 

Walton didn't think much of the message—they were just sirens after all, sounds he's heard plenty of times before during spring in Missouri. The next text message, however, was much more serious.

"She said 'Oh my God, the whole second floor of your home is gone,'" Walton said. 

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Waltons packed their bags and headed back to St. Charles to assess the damage.

"We knew it was a bad storm, but you never think you're going to be the one to be hit," he said. 

Since touching down, the family has spent the day digging through the damage of what was once their house, consoling each other, meeting with insurance adjusters and meeting Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

Nixon was in town on Saturday taking a helicopter tour of the damage. From the air, the governor got to see the damage caused by what the St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management an F3 tornado. Latest reports at 5:17 p.m. said now more than 100 homes had major/heavy damage and more than 100 homes with low/moderate damage. Assessments are still ongoing. 

"This is a very long damage track," Nixon said. "There's 10 miles of significant damage across St. Charles and St. Louis Counties. There's dozens and dozens of houses that were literally blown up. ...

"This is a storm that packed a powerful punch that will test the citizens of Missouri," he said. 

Nixon got out of the air and took to the ground to get an up-close look at one of the most heavily damaged areas. He said the most important thing right now would be to restore power. At 5:30 p.m. 3,168 residents in the 63303 area code and 951 residents in the 63304 area code were still without power. 

Nixon said this early in the assessment process, it's still unknown how much money will be available for assistance. Damage cost estimates and assessments are not available at this time and will take time, but should be in the coming weeks.

Governor Nixon said the state will stand with local leaders, officials and residents to work towards a full recovery.

The St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management said there were eight injuries cited, all minor. There are still  no serious injuries or fatalities. 

The Division of Emergency Management also said St. Charles County residents in storm-damaged areas between Highway 40 and the Page Extension, and those along Arena Parkway in unincorporated St. Charles County that have suffered tree damage or downed limbs should place trees and limbs as close to your curb as possible. Highway Department personnel are currently engaging in clean-up efforts. 

As for Walton, he vowed to rebuild. He said he his family loves the neighborhood and his daughter loves her school too much to go anywhere else. For now, Walton said he will be staying with his in-laws.

"We're going to stay with her parents, the nicest people in the world," Keith said which brought a big smile to his wife's face.