Hooker also said she talked to the girls father. "I prayed to Jesus for him to take care of me and that tornado spit me out into the mud," a 7-year-old reportedly told doctors. During surgery for deep lacerations to her abdomen, one of Meghan's lungs collapsed, then the other, and now she's breathing with the aid of a tracheotomy, her aunt says. The little girls' eyes were just absolutely matted together with mud.". (Stephanie Greenwell) The loss, it is exponential, Mandi Alexander, a long-time friend of Meghan Rackleys, said. The National Weather Service says an EF-1 tornado caused that damage , which has left the family to count their blessings, despite extensive damage to their home. Fifteen minutes later, Sandra Hooker said, a tornado splintered the home, carrying the family members dozens of yards through the air into a field where first responders found them in mud. Kentucky tornado: Facebook groups race to reunite people with belongings including boats, bills and photos found strewn more than 100 miles away, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. Ava, 7, had broken vertebrae in her back and is expected to undergo spinal surgery Wednesday. Here's why. But she said Annistyn still was full of energy and delighted in donning outfits and makeup for cheer competitions and learning new dances from TikTok. Girl sheltering with family killed in tornado. But he gets up and powers through it, and is hunting in the mud for his family. "There are no words. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/jjEInxieGQ. West of St. Louis, 84-year-old Ollie Borgmann, described as a sweet and typical grandmother, died at a hospital after a tornado on Friday blew the Defiance, Missouri, home she shared with her 84-year-old husband, Vernon, off its foundation. The middle child, Avalinn, or Ava, had broken vertebrae in her back and was expected to undergo surgery Wednesday, Hooker said. In Pemiscot County in southeastern Missouri, bordering Arkansas and Kentucky, where the Rackleys live, the sheriffs office did not immediately return telephone messages Monday seeking comment about the storm that destroyed the Rackleys home. "Where's their safe place going to be? "And Meghan was over the tub on the two older girls. In Pemiscot County in southeastern Missouri, bordering Arkansas and Kentucky, where the Rackleys live, the sheriff's office did not immediately return telephone messages Monday seeking comment about the storm that destroyed the Rackleys' home. Hooker said that Annistyn Rackleys family hadnt yet unpacked from their move Dec. 4 from Caruthersville to their new home along Highway J, just west of the city. "There was a lot of loud, loud noises and banging," Rackley recalled on what he felt and heard Friday night, minutes before the tornado made a direct hit on their home. BRAGADOCCIO, Mo. Annistyn, a third-grader who loved swimming, dancing and cheerleading, died, one of dozens killed in five states. A heartbreaking photo shows a young girl sheltering in a bathtub with her sisters moments before she was killed by a tornado as devastating storms ripped across the central US last weekend. "I would just gasp because she could do the splits all the time, and she would just laugh," Hooker said. #inwx https://t.co/OYyRAjX82B. After Ava reached a hospital in Memphis, Hooker said, she learned from family there that the young girl had told doctors and nurses, "I was flying around in the tornado and I prayed to Jesus to take care of me, and he spit me out and the tornado spit me out into the mud.". ", "I believe she was an angel walking among us, because she was so kind and sweet and loving and caring, not just to me, but to everyone," she says. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "Then she said, 'Then I'll have to be the big sister to Lani.'". But update shortly after that indicated that "the severe weather threat appears to be diminishing. 7-year-old Avalinn Rackley broke her vertebrae in the same storm that destroyed her family home and took the life of her older sister.. After a successful surgery on Wednesday, Annistyn also attended the same elementary school where her mom and Ms Hooker teach. Ava was still in pediatric intensive care as of Monday afternoon. But she said Annistyn still was full of energy and delighted in donning outfits and makeup for cheer competitions and learning new dances from TikTok. A tornado hit her home and splintered it less than a week after the family had moved in, and, according to the relative who received the photo of the girl in the bathtub, it carried family members dozens of yards before dropping them in a muddy field. "I just ask everyone to pray that Meghan will wake up and come back to us," said Hooker. Annistyn Rackley, 9, poses for a picture while attending a cheerleading competition in Arizona. To prove they were in their safe space with the storm approaching Friday evening, the girls mom texted her Aunt Sandy a photo of the three in and next to the bathtub all of them smiling, with 9-year-old Annistyn holding her favorite doll. Her mom and her dad encouraged her and supported her to live life to the full.". WebCopyright 2005, Towers Productions, Inc./The Weather Channel/Litton EntertainmentOriginally aired on August 25, 2005 on The Weather Channel. A MOM took a heartbreaking final snap of her daughter holding onto her favorite doll to show she was safe before a series of deadly tornadoes hit the Midwest. The body of Annistyn Rackley, nine, was found in a field after the twister devastated her parents' home near Caruthersville, southeast Missouri on Friday. On Monday night, after family members who picked through the debris of the Rackley home found the torn front page of Annistyn's Bible engraved with her name, along with a doll she especially treasured, a Pemiscot County Sheriff's deputy knocked on Hooker's door. Although much of the area will see rain, thunder, lightning and gusty winds, other parts will see stronger storms with damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, the NBC 5 Storm Team says. According to initial reports from the NWS Storm Prediction Center, a possible tornado was reported on the ground in Champaign. Ms Hooker is the sister of Meghan Rackleys grandmother, and she said she and Annistyn, or Anni, grew close over the past four years. Trey and Meghan Rackley and their three daughters sought shelter in a windowless bathroom in their southeast Missouri home on Friday evening. "She said that she knew she was flying around the tornado and she said 'I prayed to Jesus for him to take care of me' and that tornado spit me out into the mud," Hooker said. Trey was released morning after the storm. Proctor Moore said Avas progress is wonderful. In late December, former President Donald Trump sent her a letter. She texted back, and then she texted me again. (Summer Alexander/Meghan Rackley/Courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP), Missouri county police captain on post-storm looting and recovery efforts. "She loved dancing.". COMPLEJO DE 4 DEPARTAMENTOS CON POSIBILIDAD DE RENTA ANUAL, HERMOSA PROPIEDAD A LA VENTA EN PLAYAS DE ORO, CON EXCELENTE VISTA, CASA CON AMPLIO PARQUE Y PILETA A 4 CUADRAS DE RUTA 38, COMPLEJO TURISTICO EN Va. CARLOS PAZ. "Meghan is fighting for her life," says Meghan's aunt, Sandra Hooker, 62, who is also a teacher. "And she did," Hooker tells PEOPLE, "right up till the tornado killed her. Her husband and three daughters were thrown from the home, killing one of the children . But she adds that finding those three specific, tangible pieces from the girl's life are a comfort. Trey and Meghan Rackley and their three daughters sought shelter in a windowless bathroom in their southeast Missouri home as storms raged across the middle of the country. "We've talked about it several times," Hooker says. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. EXCELENTE OPORTUNIDAD DEPARTAMENTO CNTRICO EN COSQUIN, OPORTUNIDAD CHALET VILLA MIRADOR DEL LAGO. Her great aunt said that the diagnosis never held her back, and she was encouraged by her sisters and her parents to live life to the fullest. I would just gasp because she could do the splits all the time, and she would just laugh, Hooker said. Hookers account of what happened to the Rackleys came from talking to law enforcement and first responders who were at the scene after the tornado and found family members in the field. She said she bonded with Annistyn during doctor's visits and blood draws and said the girl liked to draw with chalk on the cement of her carport. But she said Annistyn still was full of energy and delighted in donning outfits and makeup for cheer competitions and learning new dances from TikTok. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. In this Dec. 10, 2021, photo provided by Sandra Hooker, from left, Avalinn Rackley, 7, Alanna Rackley, 3, and Annistyn Rackley, 9, pose for a picture in a bathroom in their home near Caruthersville, Missouri. "Maybe she won't be forgotten too quickly," she says. Gov. Mike Parsons office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. Girl sheltering with family killed in tornado. Tornado victims include granddad who 'stole the show', Tornado-slammed parts of Kentucky face long recovery, Storm victims include Missouri girl, aunt's 'special angel', Kentucky tornado - latest: Death toll hits 88 amid claims workers were threatened with firing as storm neared. St. Charles County, Missouri police warning looters that trespassing and theft will result in prosecution as recovery efforts continue. "The loss, it is exponential," Mandi Alexander, a friend of Meghan's, said at an emotional gathering of some 200 people Sunday at a riverside park to memorialize the young girl, TV station KAIT reported. Legal Statement. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We are so encouraged by the strength of and determination you have shown during this very difficult time, the letter said. See the damage of the tornado that tore through Kentucky and other states, Kentucky tornado survivors share stories of their terrifying experience, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Hooker is the sister of Meghan Rackleys grandmother, and she said she and Annistyn, or Anni, grew close over the past four years. Trey and Meghan Rackley and their three daughters sought shelter in a windowless bathroom in their southeast Missouri home as storms raged across the country's midsection. Here's why. Meghan Rackley was hospitalized for several weeks after the Dec. 10 tornado hit her home. (Meghan Rackley, courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP). Family of Missouri Tornado Victim Annistyn Rackley Pays Tribute Human Interest Younger Sibling of 9-Year-Old Missouri Tornado Victim: Now 'I'll Have to Be the So God gave us a miracle with Anni. (Summer Alexander/Meghan Rackley/Courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP), Aunt shares tragic story of 9-year-old Missouri girl killed by tornado as mom fights for her life. Annistyn Rackley, 9, poses for a picture while attending a cheerleading competition in Arizona. Theres debris strewn forever out in the field, and so they were sucked up into the tornado., 'It's devastating':See the damage of the tornado that tore through Kentucky and other states, Nation:Kentucky tornado survivors share stories of their terrifying experience. All rights reserved. ", "Anni was a miracle," she says. The front door was in a tree behind the house. 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