Shocking Video: Apparent Tornado Leaves St. Louis Airport Devastated

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Storm damage is seen next to a parking garage outside terminal one at St. Louis International Airport Friday, April 22, 2011, in St. Louis. Several people at Lambert Airport in St. Louis were injured Friday after an apparent tornado touched down, spewing debris over the airfield, bursting glass in the concourse and damaging cars atop a parking garage. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Lambert Field has been closed “indefinitely” following a storm that blew out windows and tore off the airport’s roof. (via CNN and KPLR)

A reported tornado ripped through the airport Friday evening, causing widespread destruction, according to local news sources. Much of the destruction centered on the airport’s Terminal C, which emerged with broken windows and twisted metal beams after the wicked weather sheared off the terminal’s roof.

(More on TIME.com: See photos of the devastation from last weekend’s Southern storms)

Five people were injured, with four taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Many suffered cuts after the terminal’s huge plate glass windows shattered in the severe winds. KPLR reports that some passengers saw winds lifting cars into the air, and news reports showed an airport shuttle teetering on a ledge atop the airport’s parking garage. KSDK estimates there were about 500 people in the airport when the severe weather rolled in.

The presence of a tornado remains unconfirmed but likely, according to Reuters. High winds and large hail played a major role in the devastation. According to the Kansas City Star, eight incoming flights were diverted across the state to the Kansas City International Airport as the storm continues its eastward trek.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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