A family of five had sought refuge in a bathroom in their home near Caruthersville in the state of Missouri on Friday. But the house had no chance of resisting the tornado’s cruel force.
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In the photo, 9-year-old Annistyn has sought shelter in a bathtub with her two sisters Alanna (3) and Avalinn (7). Only minutes later, the house was torn to shreds, writes New York Post.
Parents Meghan (32) and Trey Rackley (37) had chosen a bathroom without a window to shield themselves from the tornado, but the house could not withstand the tornado’s violent force.
They were sucked up in the whirlwind and spat out in the mud many meters away, says relative Sandra Hooker, who is mother Meghan’s great-aunt. Among other things, they worked together at the school where the 9-year-old went.
The doll Baby MawMaw, a beloved asset that Annistyn holds in the picture, was found in the mud and will be given to little sister Avalinn.
Tornadoes ravaged through the states of Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas on Friday and Saturday last week.
Everyone was injured
Parts of the area were leveled, cars were overturned and trees were strewn, a photo from the site shows.
All the other family members were also injured. Sister Avalinn broke a leg in the back and will have surgery on Wednesday. She is said to have told health personnel that she “flew around” in the tornado and was spit out. Meghan’s mother broke several legs, suffered a brain injury and a large cut.
–Father Trey and youngest sister Alanna had minor injuries such as cuts, bruises and shock injuries and have been discharged from hospital, according to Hooker.
Hooker speaks on behalf of the family and has spoken with the family’s father, emergency crews who found the family members at the scene, as well as police and other emergency services.
Moved in a week ago
Hooker remembers Annistyn as a “special angel” and an energetic girl, despite the fact that she had a rare liver disease. She loved swimming, dancing and cheerleading.
– I just gasped because she went in the split all the time, and she just laughed, says Hooker.
–They moved into their new home just a week before the tornado occurred and had not had time to unpack all the moving boxes yet.
The news agency AP has not been able to get a comment from the authorities in Pemiscot County, where the family lived, about the storm that destroyed the Rackley family’s home. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement that about 30,000 residents were without power in the state.
Tornadoes in five states
The state of Kentucky has clearly been hardest hit. At least 74 people have been killed so far in the state, according to Governor Andy Beshear. The search for survivors and the deceased is still ongoing. 109 people are registered as missing.
In the other states of Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee and Arkansas, a total of 14 people have been found dead.
It is expected that it may take a long time before you have a full overview of the extent of the damage.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden will visit Kentucky to gain first-hand knowledge of the work after the disaster and meet local authorities, writes NTB.
The city of Mayfield is among the hardest hit. They do not have drinking water because the water tower and purification system were destroyed by the tornado. The center is covered with building debris and broken trees, and power lines are on the ground.
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