Two residents whose homes were completely destroyed provide advice for their Midwest neighbors about the insurance process.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said the tornado sirens were not properly activated on Friday, which is something First Alert 4 has been pushing for answers on for days.

Rena Lyles was holding hands with her husband, trying to take shelter, when the tornado hit. Her family says the loss is unbearable.

The EF3 tornado caused at least $1 billion in damage in the city of St. Louis alone. At the storm’s peak, more than 100,000 lost power. Five people were confirmed dead and dozens of residents were hospitalized with injuries.

You can view how Friday’s confirmed EF-3 tornado ripped through St. Louis with this aerial map compiled by Chesterfield-based Surdex Corporation, a

Five people were killed in the storm. Four of the victims have been identified by their family, friends and neighbors in the days after the storm.

"It literally had looked like a bomb had just went off," one volunteer said of the tornado's damage in north St. Louis. "Blocks and blocks of homes that are just gone."

Action St. Louis is collecting essential supplies at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex to provide aid to families and businesses affected by recent tornadoes in St. Louis.

Craig Cole was at the convenience store in his neighborhood of Fountain Park when the storm alerts went off on his phone. He ran to his royal blue Ram truck parked outside.