Walking the tornado’s path 100 days later reveals a divided St. Louis

Walking down Parkdale Avenue in Clayton, it’s quiet. Joggers pass by, and workers tend to lawns in the summer heat.

The streets are clear of debris, and while homes show damage, it’s hard to tell that a tornado ripped through this neighborhood roughly 100 days ago. Tarps cover roofs and, in some places, windows are shattered — some buildings are condemned but under repair.

As I walk down the street, I run into Sunny Solanki. It’s 91 degrees out as he jogs around the neighborhood. He grew up in the area and lives on Parkdale.

Solanki remembers the day of the tornado well. He says he jumped out of the shower when his ceiling started to rattle midafternoon on May 16, as a powerful EF3 tornado ripped through the St. Louis region.

“I looked through my windows. I saw debris flying up the str