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   Some schools initially closed after Wednesday night's storms will be open today.  

   Shenandoah Elementary School in Chesterfield will hold classes today, despite roof damage.  Parkway District officials say some students will meet in different classrooms until repairs are made.

   Some schools in the Hazelwood district will also be back open today, but several other remain closed. Classes are cancelled at Hazelwood West High School, West Middle School, McNair Elementary, Russell Elementary, Armstrong Elementary, and West Early Childhood Center. After school activities are also cancelled.

Metro reports due to wires down, trees down and debris in roadways following last night's severe weather, especially in the North St. Louis County area, the following MetroBus routes are being rerouted until further notice:

#44 Hazelwood

#45 Ferguson Florissant

#4174 New Halls Ferry Express 

Metro says they are unable to serve the Patterson/Lindbergh area at this time. "We ask our MetroBus customers to be patient and allow extra time for their commutes this morning as the situation no doubt will keep changing with regard to streets being opened and closed. Customers should use extreme care in walking to their bus stops in the areas where storm damage was heavy."   

Metro Call-A-Ride: Customers will be contacted if Metro Call-A-Ride vans do not have access to their streets. 

MetroLink: Normal service this morning. Trains are running on time.

   There were three confirmed tornado touchdowns on Wednesday night -- in Hazelwood, Florissant and Alton, Illinois.

   Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency for the St. Louis area after the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms storms caused extensive damage and wide-spread power outages.   Nixon will visit St. Louis Thursday to survey the damage with local officials.  

   The declaration allows local and state agencies to coordinate relief efforts for victims of Wednesday’s storms.