Tue May 20 01:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**St. Louis Schools Closed, Students Displaced After Tornado Devastates Region**

**ST. LOUIS, MO -** The St. Louis region is reeling after a powerful tornado ripped through the area on Friday, May 16, 2025, leaving extensive damage to schools, homes, and infrastructure in its wake. School districts across the city and county are scrambling to respond, with multiple closures and student reassignments announced for Monday.

Clayton School District Superintendent Nisha Patel announced that all Clayton schools will be closed Monday due to power outages, debris, and safety concerns at Captain Elementary and Wydown Middle schools. University City High and Jackson Park Elementary will also remain closed due to power outages.

The hardest hit area appears to be St. Louis Public Schools, where twelve schools sustained damage ranging from fallen trees and broken windows to missing shingles. Among the damaged schools are Ashland, Bryan Hill, Columbia, Dewey, Hamilton, Hickey, Pamoja and Washington Montessori elementary schools; Yeatman-Liddell Middle School; Blewett alternative school; and Soldan and Sumner high schools. Hundreds of students are being relocated for Monday, but transportation will not be available due to damage at the bus depot. Leaders scrambled over the weekend to find alternative locations for students with the last day of the 2024-25 school year scheduled for Thursday.

Fortunately, all staff and students are believed to be safe, having taken shelter during the storm. However, Superintendent Patel acknowledged the emotional toll the event is taking on students and pledged support upon their return.

Beyond the schools, institutions like Washington University and Fontbonne University also sustained damage, with Fontbonne announcing a closure for Monday due to significant damage. Power outages remain widespread, affecting over 45,000 households in the region.

City and county officials are working to clear debris and restore power, while community organizations are mobilizing to provide assistance to those affected. The estimated cost of the damage is currently $1.6 billion.

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