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. Earlier reports showed the strongest parts of the storm likely to be in southern Kankakee county and into Northwest Indiana. But he gets up and powers through it, and is hunting in the mud for his family. '", "They knew that this was gonna come," says Hooker. Trey's Jeep was probably a hundred yards from the house where it had been parked. 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. Trey was flung by the howling winds into the wet mud. (Dec. 13), 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. 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. Annistyn, a third-grader who loved swimming, dancing and cheerleading, died, one of dozens killed in five states. Annistyn's father, Trey Rackley, suffered cuts and bruises. According to the NWS, quarter-sized hail is also possible in those areas. "Her car was moved probably 30, 40 feet from where it was and turned around. Hooker said she and others are relying on their faith, especially after hearing what the surviving middle daughter Ava told doctors. Annistyn also attended the same elementary school where her mom and Hooker teach. Mike Parsons office said that about 30,000 Missouri residents initially were without power. Tight rotation in this area may produce a brief tornado at any moment. And her grandmother assured her that she was not gonna die," continues Hooker. All rights reserved. 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. 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. "And God can give us a miracle with Meghan.". Annistyn Rackley, 9, poses for a picture while attending a cheerleading competition in Arizona. The entire Rackley family took refuge in their bathroom before a tornado-one of more than 30 storms that ravaged through five states-lifted the home and deposited it into a field. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Lani, the youngest, was released from the hospital Sunday, but still with hairline fractures in her vertebrae, Hooker says. 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. Sandra Hooker was texting with her niece Meghan about the tornado sirens going off in town when she last spoke with her. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. She loved life and loved people," Hooker added. Ms 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. (Meghan Rackley/Courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP), Memphis LGBTQ+ activists protest Gov. On the right, the Rackley family poses for a picture while on a trip to Sedona, Arizona. 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. 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. Hooker said that Annistyn Rackley's family hadn't yet unpacked from their move Dec. 4 from Caruthersville to their new home along Highway J, just west of the city. 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. 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. Ky. Tornado Survivors Speak Out as Death Toll Hits 64: 'I Kept Praying, Please Let Me Get to My Kids'. (Meghan Rackley/Courtesy of Sandra Hooker via AP). And he said he could hear it coming. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The entire Rackley family took refuge in their bathroom before a tornado - one of more than 30 storms that ravaged through five states - launched them into the sky Avalinn's older sister, Annistyn, 9, died in the disaster and mother Meghan, 32, suffered sever brain trauma 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. "Some rain could be heavy at times, and a few storms could be on the strong/severe side during the morning hours," NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman says. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The middle child, Avalinn, or Ava, had broken vertebrae in her back and was expected to undergo surgery Wednesday, Hooker said. Meghan and Trey had discussed it. she says. "Sometime during this conversation, she Snapchatted that picture of the girls in the tub. 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. "We are believing for a miracle, so we are going to say that we are optimistic that she will pull through. Several hours later, the Tornado watches and warnings were issued. Market data provided by Factset. Hooker also said she talked to the girls father. 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.. Seven-year-old Avalinn told doctors she flew around in the tornado, Hooker said. "She loved dancing.". Hooker said it was Annistyns favorite, and she called it Baby MawMaw. Her nine-year-old daughter, Annistyn, was killed by the tornado. Annistyn Rackley was photographed clutching a doll while huddled next to her sister in the family's bathtub while her other sister kneeled in front of them. Annistyn Rackley was at home with her mom Meghan, her dad Trey, and her two younger sisters when the tornado hit their home just east of Braggadocio. The family member is grateful for her community's emotional and financial support to date, as they pray the mother and elementary school teacher pulls through. Get ready.' RELATED: Florida father & son killed on hunting trip during storms in Tennessee. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a rare liver disease that required repeated hospital stays. 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. 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. 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. "They brought in a specialist to clean the debris out of her eyes. Our hearts are shattered over the loss of Annistyn, Proctor Moore said. She did cartwheels and splits in front of Hooker. Rain and embedded storms will continue, mainly this morning before activity diminishes in the afternoon. Proctor Moore said Avas progress is wonderful. In late December, former President Donald Trump sent her a letter. "They told her, yes, her mommy's alive. 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. When all is said and done, forecast models show rain totals are likely to clock in over an inch, with 1.18 inches predicted at O'Hare International Airport. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. ", 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. Both the strong storms and heavy rain will likely move out by noon Monday, the NBC 5 Storm Team says. "They brought Baby MawMaw to me, and Im cleaning her up so that Ava can have Baby MawMaw," she said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ", "And then as she recovered, she said, 'Am I gonna die?' A Missouri family is coping with the loss of a child and two family members fighting for their lives after a tornado swept through their home To prove they were in their safe space with the storm approaching, 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 favourite doll. 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. However, the entire Chicago area has seen heavy, on-and-off downpours throughout the morning. Seven-year-old Avalinn told doctors she flew around "in the tornado," Hooker said. Annistyn was among dozens of people who died in tornadoes on Friday. "She was born with biliary atresia. The photo was taken by their mother, Meghan Rackley. 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