As it appears, even if I had come up with the cash to make it to HOPE - my plans would be destroyed by the massive storm front that followed the 110 degree heat Wednesday. Power has been out in most of St. Louis since Wednesday night and is largely restored now. The National Gaurd was called in on Thursday evening/Friday due to looting that was taking place up and down Grand (J, my partner, living on the south end of the road stretching from end to end of the city). A tornado touched down within city limits for the first time (ever allegedly, but definately within the last 50 years). While I was safely deep in subrubia dying of boredom, where not a lot out of the ordinary major thunderstorm happened.
My family for the most part was missed - except for my grandparents who live closer to the city and were left without power and water for the last four days.
Local Damage Video

And as the roof has been torn off the roof of the airport, I suppose that getting to HOPE would have been difficult.

However, due to J being without power until yesterday, we ended up spending lots of quality time... sleeping, on my parents sofa. I had been deathly ill and he had not slept well without power when he still thought it would be turned on soon. With 294182 people out of power, he was wrong. Of course, we ended up seeing Clerks II (highly recommended) and Lady in the Water. (Actually, very very good. Possibly one of the best movies of the year I think.)