Severe storms trigger widespread power outages across St. Louis region as crews assess Metro East damage

Outages spread across Missouri and Illinois after overnight storms

Thousands of households and businesses in the St. Louis area lost electricity early Wednesday as a line of strong storms moved through eastern Missouri and western Illinois. Utility outage totals fluctuated through the morning as service was restored in some neighborhoods while new outages were reported in others.

In the Metro East, damage reports included downed trees, blocked roads and downed power lines. Emergency responders and utility crews worked to secure hazards and begin repairs as daylight revealed additional impacts.

Utility restoration updates changed rapidly through the morning

Power-outage figures reported during the morning showed a quick rise and fall consistent with storm-driven grid disruptions. At about 6 a.m. Wednesday, Ameren Illinois reported roughly 9,930 customers without service and Ameren Missouri reported about 2,930. By around 8:15 a.m., those numbers had dropped to about 4,505 in Illinois and just over 800 in Missouri.

Such swings typically reflect a combination of repairs, automatic protection devices that isolate damaged segments, and the staggered arrival of storm effects across multiple service territories.

Storm damage and injuries reported in the Metro East

Officials in Madison County, Illinois, reported injuries after storm damage to a home where the roof was torn off while two people were inside. One person was transported for treatment of a head injury that was described as mild. Additional reports from Madison and St. Clair counties cited downed trees and road closures, with live wires observed at one damage site near Marissa, Illinois.

Tornado warnings issued; EF-1 tornado confirmed near Moro, Illinois

As the storm system moved east, tornado warnings were issued for parts of St. Clair and Washington counties in Illinois around 5 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service later confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado in the vicinity of Moro, Illinois, where at least one home sustained significant damage, including a roof removed from the structure. Damage surveys were ongoing in St. Clair County, with rural areas near Marissa, Lenzburg and St. Libory among the locations reporting impacts.

What residents can do during outages and storm damage

• Treat downed lines as energized and keep a safe distance; report hazards to authorities and the utility.

• Use flashlights instead of candles indoors and keep phone batteries charged when possible.

• If using a generator, operate it outdoors and away from windows to reduce carbon monoxide risk.

• Check on neighbors who may need assistance, particularly older adults and people with medical equipment dependent on electricity.

Crews continued assessing damage Wednesday, with additional weather and restoration updates expected as survey work and repairs progressed.