WHIRLWIND: At its peak, the tornado that hit Lambert–St. Louis International Airport was rated EF4, with winds from between 166 and 200 mph. In Concourse C in Terminal 1, it blew out all the windows and tore gaping holes in the roof.

BLOWNAWAY

Less than 24 hours after a tornado ripped through the St. Louis airport, the first people would begin arriving for a huge international robotics conference. Here’s how the city, the county, the airport, and the CVB worked together to make sure that the show went on.

BY CHRISTOPHER DURSO

Nobody died. That was the good news, and no small thing, in the minutes and hours after a tornado ripped a hole in Lambert–St. Louis International Airport on the night of Good Friday.

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PHOTO BY JOHNNY ANDREWS