Updated: Saturday, April 23 at 12:40p.m.

The National Weather Service confirms that it was a tornado that struck Lambert Airport in St. Louis, causing several injuries and sending people scurrying for shelter as plated glass shattered around them.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported officials announced Saturday that they expect to have Lambert-St. Louis International Airport running at about 70 percent capacity by the end of the day.

That will mostly depend on whether they can restore power to Terminal 1, said airport director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, at a press conference with officials from St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Hamm-Niebruegge said one American Airlines 757 jet sustained significant damage, and four other American planes had minor damage.

Five or six flights had to be diverted away from St. Louis when the storm hit.

American and Southwest airlines are checking damaged planes and canceling flights at the tornado-damaged airport in St. Louis.

American said two planes received significant damage.

Spokesman Ed Martelle said two more had lighter damage but should be flyable by the end of the day.

Crosswinds of 80 mph struck one plane that was taxiing in from a landing when the tornado hit. Martelle said that plane is also being checked.

Southwest Airlines Co. spokeswoman Marilee McInnis said one of its planes was damaged by a baggage loading conveyer belt that was pushed by the wind.

Southwest has canceled all St. Louis flights through 4 p.m. Saturday.

American, which operates out of the heavily-damaged main terminal, says it won't fly out of St. Louis until at least Monday morning.

Officials aren't sure how many travelers are stranded.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley says hundreds of homes in nine communities were damaged. Ameren says power could be out for several days.

Meteorologist Scott Truett said crews were out Saturday assessing damage and trying to determine just how strong the tornado was.

Officials are trying to determine if the same tornado that struck the airport Friday night also caused damage in several St. Louis County communities.

About 50 homes were damaged in Maryland Heights, and dozens of other homes in north St. Louis County were damaged.

The storm also brought heavy rain and huge hail to central and eastern Missouri. Flash flooding closed Highway 67 near Farmington.

Original Story:

Severe storms and tornadoes swept across Missouri Friday causing Governor Jay Nixon to declare a state of Emergency.

The weather system caused significant damage to communities and facilities across Missouri, including Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Authorities say at least five people have been treated for minor injuries after an apparent tornado ripped through the airport.

The storm lifted a roof off the terminal and sent plate glass flying everywhere.

Airport spokesman Jeff Lea said four people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and another person was treated at the scene.

Lea said the airport was shut down Friday night and planes were diverted to other locations.

Lea said passengers from at least two planes were stranded briefly on the Lambert tarmac because of debris.

They were eventually taken away by buses

The tornado also hit Maryland Heights in suburban St. Louis, damaging homes and knocking down power lines.

A dispatcher for the Maryland Heights police department said roofs were "completely" ripped off homes.

She said several officers were out dealing reports of gas leaks, downed power lines and fallen trees that were blocking roadways.

Personnel at the State Emergency Management Agency have been communicating with local law enforcement and emergency responders and tracking the storms as they have moved across Missouri.  This Executive Order activates the State Emergency Management Plan, which allows state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response.

Gov. Nixon spoke personally with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay Friday evening to offer any state assistance or resources necessary to assist the city’s response and recovery efforts.
“My emergency management team has been tracking these storms since this afternoon, and we are coordinating with local officials to ensure the safety of Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said.  “The state of Missouri is ready to assist at every stage of this emergency to keep Missouri families safe and help communities recover.” 
Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211.

The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. 

In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626. 

Weather and emergency information also are available on the state of Missouri’s website, MO.gov.
State agencies that can be activated for duty under the Governor’s order include: Missouri Department of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Water Patrol, Division of Fire Safety, Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation, Department of Corrections, Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation and the Office of Administration.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story)