"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. All rights reserved. She did cartwheels and splits in front of Ms Hooker. Mike Parsons office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. 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. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. Hooker teaches gifted students at the same elementary school where Meghan Rackley teaches kindergarten in Caruthersville, which is nestled next to the Mississippi River in whats known as Missouris Bootheel region. On the right, the Rackley family poses for a picture while on a trip to Sedona, Arizona. We are so encouraged by the strength of and determination you have shown during this very difficult time, the letter said. All rights reserved, WATCH: Procession Escorts Body of Fallen Chicago Officer From Hospital, Storm System Could Bring Rain, Snow, and Gusty Winds to Chicago Area Friday, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park. In this 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. 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. 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. 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, 9-year-old Annistyn holding her favorite doll. Hooker said Meghan Rackley's injuries included broken bones, a brain injury and a large cut, and she's asking people to pray for the 32-year-old mother. She said she talked to the girls mother, Meghan Rackley, on Friday afternoon about the possibility of bad storms. A miracle recovery: Mother severely hurt in Decembers tornado released from hospital, Police investigating after student brings gun to school, NEA fares well at 5A State Swimming Championships, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Marmaduke girls beat Rison in 1st Round, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Bay boys beat Dierks in 1st Round, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Rector boys beat Acorn in 1st Round, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Earle boys beat Junction City in 1st Round. Hooker said Meghan Rackleys injuries included broken bones, a brain injury and a large cut, and shes asking people to pray for the 32-year-old mother. Legal Statement. After a series of violent storms devastated many midwestern and southern communities last week, one young injured girl is inspiring the masses with her bravery. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, ", "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. Rain and embedded storms will continue, mainly this morning before activity diminishes in the afternoon. Annistyn Rackley, 9, poses for a picture while attending a cheerleading competition in Arizona. She said she talked to the girls mother, Meghan Rackley, on Friday afternoon about the possibility of bad storms. According to the NWS, that warning expired at 10:15 a.m. Later Monday morning, in parts of southeastern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, a Tornado watch was issued. But she adds that finding those three specific, tangible pieces from the girl's life are a comfort. ", Hooker recalls Ava asking her grandmother, 'Where's Anni? Annistyn, a third-grader who loved swimming, dancing and cheerleading, died, one of dozens killed in five states. Meghan and Trey had discussed it. 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. A candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, and an Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Illinois, were hit. Hooker reflected on the 9-year-old's perseverance in her young life, following a diagnosis of a rare live disease. Now the community of 6,000 is rallying for the Rackleys again this time with prayer, as a tornado spawned by a wave of storms that left destruction and death across six states Friday night killed the 9-year-old and left her mother, Meghan, a kindergarten teacher, unresponsive in the hospital with multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. A candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, and an Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Illinois, were hit. Trey and his youngest daughter survived, but the impact left his wife Meghan in a coma in a Missouri hospital, his 7-year-old daughter in a Memphis hospital, and claimed the life of his oldest daughter, Annistyn. 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. An extended Missouri family is grieving, after a tornado ripped through their home this weekend, claiming a young life and changed the lives of the survivors But update shortly after that indicated that "the severe weather threat appears to be diminishing. He and the youngest daughter, 3-year-old Alanna, are no longer in the hospital. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "She loved dancing.". "She was the best kid. They brought Baby MawMaw to me, and Im cleaning her up so that Ava can have Baby MawMaw, she said. (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. She said she bonded with Annistyn during doctors visits and blood draws and said the girl liked to draw with chalk on the cement of her carport. Girl sheltering with family killed in tornado. ", "And then as she recovered, she said, 'Am I gonna die?' Get ready.' Ms Hooker said Annistyns parents learned when she was two months old that she had a rare liver disorder in which bile ducts dont develop properly, sometimes making it hard to fight off illness. 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. Hooker is the sister of Meghan Rackley's grandmother, and she said she and Annistyn, or Anni, grew close over the past four years. The rain will subside in the evening, when the focus will shift to the wind, the NBC 5 Storm Team says, with strong gusts expected across most of the region. The middle child, Avalinn, or Ava, had broken vertebrae in her back and was expected to undergo surgery Wednesday, Hooker said. The little girls' eyes were just absolutely matted together with mud.". She was the strongest kid.". 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, Nikolas Lanum is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. 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. Annistyn's father, Trey Rackley, suffered cuts and bruises. Gov. "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. Just before 10 a.m., a Tornado warning was issued for central DuPage County, "with a thunderstorm capable of producing a brief spin-up tornado over Warrenville and Gov. "In spite of everything, she was just always so brave, just you would never know, she was always smiling. MISSOURI GIRL, PICTURED 15 MINUTES BEFORE TORNADO HIT, FOUND DEAD IN FIELD DOZENS OF YARDS AWAY, In this 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. She said, 'I was flying around in that tornado.' Ava Rackley, 7, had huddled in the bathtub with her two sisters, 3-year-old Lonnie, and 9-year-old Annistyn. Hooker said Annistyns parents learned when she was 2 months old that she had a rare liver disorder in which bile ducts dont develop properly, sometimes making it hard to fight off illness. And so they were readythey thought," said Hooker during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" with Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Lawrence Jones. Girl sheltering with family killed in tornado. Although widespread rain is expected to come to an end around noon, some isolated showers are possible in the afternoon. ", "There's very little left," she explains. 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. "They told her, yes, her mommy's alive. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. You could just tell how much it affected her. 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. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. See Heartbreaking Photos of the Tornado Devastation in Kentucky, Illinois and More States, Remembering Victims of Deadly Tornado Outbreak: Navy Veteran, 'Loving' Grandma of 4 and More, Texas School Shooting: What We Know About the Victims, Jason Crabb Invites Kentucky Tornado Victim and Viral Piano Player Jordan Baize to Play the Opry, Mo. Annistyn also attended the same elementary school where her mom and Hooker teach. 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. As the storm moves to the east, Monday after 12 p.m. is expected to be mainly dry, with a slight chance of isolated showers in some areas through the evening commute. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Meghan, 32, her husband Trey, 37, and their three girls Annistyn and younger siblings Avalinn, 7, and Lani, 3 had moved to their new home outside of Caruthersville just one week before the tornado leveled it. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Additionally, there were reports that a "brief tornado" touched down in DuPage County, and reports of wind damage from a "possible tornado in Kendall County. The photo was taken by their mother, Meghan Rackley. That tornado just spit me out and threw me in the ground, in the mud.'". Hooker said after a prayer vigil Sunday, searchers in the field near the Rackleys' house found the doll that Annistyn was holding in the photo. Hooker's 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. Annistyn also attended the same elementary school where her mom and Hooker teach. 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. 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. Designed by, INVERSORES! 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. Mike Parson's office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. But he and the youngest daughter, 3-year-old Alanna Little Lani are no longer hospitalised. "They brought Baby MawMaw to me, and Im cleaning her up so that Ava can have Baby MawMaw," she said. Mike Parsons office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. (Meghan Rackley/Courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP). Gov Mike Parson s office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. And while the NWS earlier Monday said the threat of severe weather was "diminishing," a a slew of tornado watches and warnings were issued throughout the 10 a.m. hour. "She was born with biliary atresia. Seven-year-old Avalinn told doctors she flew around in the tornado, Hooker said. She loved dancing.. Sandra Hooker shared a picture of the family's three young girls taken just minutes before the storm hit Caruthersville, located along the Mississippi River near the Tennessee border. 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