Missouri family of 7 escapes injury as tornado destroys home

VILLA RIDGE, Mo., (KBSI) — A family of seven narrowly escaped injury when a tornado tore through their rental home, leaving them to pick up the pieces and find a new place to live.

Gregory Gerling, his wife Taylor and their five sons, aged 2-15, took shelter in the basement as the tornado approached. They huddled together as the roof was ripped off and debris swirled around them.

“Everything was flying around, but we stayed together,” Taylor Gerling said. “It felt like something was surrounding us, holding us together.”

The family is now split between the homes of their grandparents as they search for a new place to live.

“We want to get everybody back together as soon as possible,” Gregory Gerling said.

Despite their ordeal, the family feels fortunate that no one was injured.

“It was really a miracle,” Taylor Gerling said. “God was watching over us.”

Those in need of help can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.