There’s no question that 2010 ended with a bang as a series of tornadoes hit the St. Louis area on Dec. 31.

The Sunset Hills area received the worst of the damage, with cleanup efforts still continuing.

Although damage was sustained in other parts of the county, the storms caused damage in Ballwin and temporarily shut down the stoplight at Manchester Road and Holloway, sending some Lafayette students to take cover as sirens sounded.

Junior Marie Bowman went to her basement during the downpour.

“I have always been terrified by tornadoes since I was a kid,” Bowman said. “I get the most freaked out by them in my family, but everyone else doesn’t mind them too much.”

“My mom stayed upstairs,” she added. “She wasn’t too bothered by it.”

 The storms destroyed trees and properties across the St. Louis area, and also claimed the lives of four people.

For more information visit the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=12_31_2010.