Storm Damage in University City Loop Area

Editor's Note: The report of hail comes from University City Patch editor Myra Lopez as dictated to Patch colleague Nate Birt from the scene at Fitz's. Lopez was caught outside in the storm and was pelted by what she deduced was hail. However, one person at the scene -- a Fitz's employee - reported seeing the wind blow gravel off the roof of a nearby building. 

The windows of at least 20 vehicles shattered Saturday just north of the Delmar Loop in University City when a severe storm rolled through the area. The cars were parked behind

As of 4:50 p.m., nearly 1,200 Ameren Missouri customers were without power in the 63130 ZIP code, which includes University City. An Ameren representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

"We've been getting some reports of wind damage farther down in South County," National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Britt said Saturday.

Initial radar reports indicated the incident might have been a microburst, "which would be some strong winds," Britt said.

Downed power lines and tree damage were reported in places such as Lemay, he said.

Thunderstorms are expected overnight in eastern Missouri, the Weather Service stated in a hazardous weather outlook report.

"A few of the storms could produce large hail and damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph," the report states. Storms also are possible Sunday morning, though they are not expected to be severe.