Complaints rain down on St. Louis roofers

ST. LOUIS -- An April hailstorm is still haunting many St. Louis area residents. The Better Business Bureau of St. Louis said Tuesday it has received more than 150 complaints against roofing contractors.

The complaints allege shoddy workmanship, failure to complete jobs in a timely manner and, in some cases, failure to even start the job.

A slow-moving storm pushed through Missouri on April 10, spawning tornadoes, heavy rain, flash flooding and considerable hail. Damage was estimated at $700 million statewide, making it the costliest storm in state history.

Large hail, particularly in north St. Louis County, caused the most extensive damage. And some scam artists have taken advantage.

A Florissant woman told the BBB a worker with the company she hired to fix her roof fell through the ceiling into her living room. She paid the firm $3,773, though she was left with an uneven roof with incorrect guttering, said Michelle Corey, president of the St. Louis BBB.