May Policy Newsletter

May 27

Home isn’t just a building.

It’s usually where people feel safe. For many people, the place that they call home forms a backdrop for many of their most treasured memories. When it’s a family home, some of those memories are often formative.

On Friday, May 16th, thousands of homes were damaged, some beyond repair. Five lives were lost, and many more were changed forever. As we dig out and move toward recovery, we should keep in mind that many in our community are hurting. They may be physically unharmed, and we are so grateful for that, but you don’t have to look far to find people who are struggling mentally after the tornado.

How we move forward is going to depend on whether or not we can come together. It’s going to take people, far and wide, to address the overwhelming need across our city. We don’t always have to agree with each other, but giving each other grace during this difficult time will go a long way toward making our people whole.

We’ve seen some of the very best of humanity over the past 11 days, but we’ve also seen bitter infighting. There has been frequent and prevalent misinformation shared, sometimes with helpful intent, and finger-pointing that has led to death threats. Let’s be clear: the tornado was no one’s fault. It doesn’t help anyone to vilify each other. Assumptions can often be harmful, especially when repeated without checking facts. The best we can do is empathize with each other. Many people across our city were hurt by this storm. Some are better equipped to recover than others, but the hurt is all the same when your home is attacked by the sky.

After any disaster there is a lot of information to get through and understand. The situation may change as more help arrives. I ask that people be patient. Do not give into fear. Already this last week, the color-coded sticker system, part of a requirement to gather data needed to submit an application for federal help, has some people scared. As your representative, I’m committed to making sure that we get this right.

A home can feel different without electricity. In the dark, it can be difficult to prepare meals without a working refrigerator or oven, and the road to recovery becomes difficult to see. Ameren, the electricity provider for the region, is working with the City to make sure all homes are safe and powered as soon as possible. I am fighting for our ward to make sure that those who have had their electricity restored keep the lights on, so long as it is safe to do so. If you feel that a red sticker was inaccurately applied to your home, please reach out to me at BrowningM@StLouis-MO.gov. I will be happy to work with you and advocate for you until the situation is resolved.

These coming weeks will be difficult. I’m heartbroken, like many of you, to see our beautiful streets in such disarray. But I look for signs of progress every day, and I find them everywhere. Our City Workers worked 12-hour shifts, canceled time off, and opened all of our streets within 48 hours. Non-profit groups are organizing supply drives, helping clean up debris, and running shelters. Neighbors are helping neighbors, some emerging from their own damaged homes with chainsaws in hand.

St. Louis will succeed. Despite the tornado that carved us up, we’re still here. That’s the most important thing. We’ll succeed together, or we will fail apart. Care for each other, hug your loved ones, and pitch in however you can.