ST. LOUIS – “Just the sound. It was so horrific. Very scary. I didn’t know if I was going to lose my life,” said north St. Louis resident Shelia Thompson.
The mayhem of the May 16 tornado remains fresh in Shelia Thompson’s mind.
“Grabbed my dog and I was like, Sheeba, we’re alive. We’re alive, baby. God kept us alive. It’s just been hard ever since,” Thompson said.
On Friday, things got a little easier, thanks to the 100 Roofs Project.
“Your heart just melts for every one of these people you talk to,” said Jake Wheeler of the 100 Roofs Project.
Wheeler spearheaded the grassroots, volunteer effort to tarp the roofs of 100 storm-damaged homes. When FOX 2 met his crew in June, they had done 37 roofs.
FOX 2 watched volunteers climb atop Shelia’s home to complete their 100th roof.
“It’s hard to celebrate. There’s still such a need. But we’re proud of reaching 100 homes and being able to do our best to keep people dry and in their homes. Keeping people in their homes is the entire reason we did this. We know if you leave it, you lose it. And once the water starts getting in, it’s hard to stop and does a lot of damage quickly,” Wheeler said.
Sheila’s story of survival started long before the May 16 tornado.
On July 18, 1997, she and her children survived a home explosion caused by a natural gas leak. Twenty-eight years to the day their lives were spared in that blast, their family home here on Bayard is getting a new life.
A coincidence of significant consequence, she says she’s blessed to receive.
“I lost my home then and we were homeless for a while. Yesterday is the day I got the call that I was number 100. I’m blessed,” Thompson said.
With one mission accomplished, Wheeler says the 100 Roofs Project will now work with storm victims to find permanent, professional repairs.
“We’re glad to be here to help her. We didn’t know any of that when we met her and we spent a couple of hours talking with her yesterday and making a plan to see how we could best help her out,” Wheeler said.
“We just want to make sure people are getting proper repairs. That they’re going to pass city code and be able to stay in their homes after paying thousands of dollars for this work.” Added Wheeler.
“I just want to carry on my mom and dad’s legacy here. A home full of love and fun. A place you can lay your head if you’re tired.” Said Thompson.
Calm after the storm for a woman who’s weathered through the worst.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
