(Check out KDSK's snapshot gallery for more damage pics like the one above; some nice lightning and sky shots amid the damage.)

Disasters can happen anywhere; flyover territory is not immune. After a very large storm system passed through yesterday, St. Louis and area are under a state of emergency; 1/2 million residents without electric. That's a very BAD thing to have happen in summer, but especially out here, where the heat AND humidity combine to lethal levels.

7/21/06 Update: The Parental Units reported in, on their trip west.... indeed St. Louis, southern Illinois, and many areas surrounding are in bad shape. Never hear much of this on ABC, though... no pleas for international aid, or even FEMA temporary housing and phat debit cards... no, we just get by here.