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Tornado hit our family members tonight

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Posted 5/31/2013 6:55 PM (GMT -8)
…I'm not one to usually ask for prayers here on the forum, but tonight I'm asking for you to keep our family members in your prayers, as my niece and her family lost their home due to a Tornado about an hour and a half ago, in St Louis MO.

They are safe, and lucky to be alive, as they have no basement, and survived under the stairs. Home seems to be a total loss. We may be making an emergency trip there in the next few hours as we learn more information.

Thanks!

SE
Posted 5/31/2013 6:58 PM (GMT -8)
Sorry to hear of this, SE, glad they were not harmed. Couldn't imagine losing everything that way, so quickly. Hope they can recover.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 7:09 PM (GMT -8)
I'm so sorry and I pray everyone is safe. :0(
Posted 5/31/2013 7:14 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks you two!….we are sitting by the phone waiting on more information.

SE
Posted 5/31/2013 8:40 PM (GMT -8)
Let us know, when you know something more. Was just reading about it on on-line news.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 9:04 PM (GMT -8)
…it appears to be the St Charles area, of Missouri. I'm not looking forward to the 6.5 hr drive, but it looks like we are the only family members considering a trip up there to help tomorrow morning. The rest are unhealthy, or cannot make the trip for some reason.

SE
Posted 5/31/2013 11:16 PM (GMT -8)
So sorry Michael and prayers for your family and the many others in Missouri tonight.
Posted 6/1/2013 6:56 AM (GMT -8)
….ok!….late night planning and visiting with family here, and limited sketchy information from St Charles MO….we hit the sack around midnight, with plans to head out early this morning.

However, as you all well know, mornings for chronic pain patients is less than fun, and best intentions can seem impractical. shakehead

The good news, and straight from my nieces mouth, is that they have a ton of friends and helpful church members up there eager to help in cleanup. I believe someone came and got the children for them…and offered a place for them all to stay.

The house is not a total loss as far as the structure, ….only meaning that it is still standing, with very large trees on the roof, and and some of the roof missing. I have not seen pictures yet, but they say the area is a mess.

At this point she says there is absolutely no need for anyone to travel up there to help….they have plenty of it there already. Insurance agents have been contacted and will be there in a couple of days, as they work through the area hit.

From the sound of things and the description they gave of the damage….I'm guessing the house will have to be rebuilt. A total rebuild is not known at this time,... until the agents can get in there and access the damage to the structure.

The biggest blessing to come out of this, is that no one was hurt! They were very lucky!

So!…as it stands now, no trip is needed at this time…although we stand ready if the call comes in.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and concern.

SE
Posted 6/1/2013 8:20 AM (GMT -8)
Sorry to hear Michael, but I'm glad that they are safe.
Posted 6/1/2013 8:34 AM (GMT -8)
Oh Michael I'm so sorry that your niece and her family have been thru this. I am so thankful that they're all ok. Keep us updated, ok? No wonder I didn't get an answer from you last night. I was so scared with the tornado warning in Kansas, and I didn't know where. I'm glad you all are ok.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
Posted 6/1/2013 8:42 AM (GMT -8)
…Thank you Laura and Loretta. Photos are just now coming into us, and from what I see, it looks repairable, and I don't think they took a direct hit. Still though, it will be a while before they get it back to living conditions again.

Phones are ringing, text and emails flying here between the families. There are 6 or seven of us with serious health issues…mostly spine, so we are limited in what we can do. Thank goodness they have a lot of friends up there.

SE
Posted 6/1/2013 12:53 PM (GMT -8)
Oh my, Im sorry your family is going through this! Glad they are ok but pray that they can mend things without to much hardship.
Posted 6/1/2013 2:47 PM (GMT -8)
Just reading this now Michael. I am so sorry to hear of this sad news. Thank goodness no one was injured and that they are all safe. My thoughts and prayers for all involved during the coming weeks to rebuild what they have lost.

Hugs my friend.

Suzane

Posted 6/1/2013 5:16 PM (GMT -8)
Sending my prayers and thoughts to your family and all those affected by the Tornado.

I'm glad that the have friends whose there to assist them. Will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

UA
Posted 6/1/2013 7:09 PM (GMT -8)
Michael,

I am so sorry to hear about all that your family went through. Tornados really really scary me. I live up north, so the tornado risk here is low, but we usually do get 2 - 3 watches and/or warnings for tornados each year during bad summer storms. They actually had a warning for part of my county just a week ago, but fortunately nothing came of it. Every few years a tornado does touch down in this area, but they are usually small & cause minimal damage (although a few towns away, you can still see remnants from a bad tornado that hit the area back in the 80's -- still down trees all over the place in a pine forest, which makes it look like a ghost forest). But still, it's enough to get me freaked out.

Your family was indeed very fortunate that no one was injured. As devastating as losing a home is, at least a home is rebuildable. Lives are not. You, your family, and everyone in that region will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Skeye
Posted 6/2/2013 2:29 AM (GMT -8)
Skeye…I totally agree with you!…and I'm afraid of them as well. I actually took a direct hit several years ago, while sitting at an intersection one morning in Wichita. It was the lowest category rated Tornado, but powerful none the less.

For years and years, I have nightmares about Tornados, to the point, it felt like it was taking all the air out of my lungs. shocked

Skeye, it is so good to see you here on the forum, as many of the veteran members from way back are gone.

Thank you all again, for your thoughtfulness and prayers. Although they have a lot of damage, it could have been so much worse, and we give thanks, that no one was seriously hurt.

Suffering Chronic Pain, with bad backs, just makes us feel worthless when friends and or family have serious need for help.

SE
Posted 6/2/2013 8:26 PM (GMT -8)
SE:

Just reading the boards tonight, I'm so sorry that your niece and family has had such a loss. Thankfully, though they are all safe and not hurt.

They will be in my prayers while they go thru the rebuild. Sounds like you went thru an ordeal several years back too, (((hugs))). I'm glad that you and the Mrs didn't need to make the trip. I know that you would have gladly done it, but you sure would have felt it pain wise.

How old are her children? I'll say an extra prayer for them, it's so hard as a child to lose everything. My parents home burned to the ground when I was little. I remember the night of the fire, and where we ended up, but I was young. I was only 4, but I'll never forget my sister who was 16, holding me pounding on someone's door in the pouring rain, while our house was engulfed in flames.

I hope that your niece and her family recover w/o any serious issues, ie nightmares etc. You'll all be in my prayers.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 6/2/2013 9:18 PM (GMT -8)
Barbara, you are correct, that the trip would have been too much for us both. Sitting at home about an hour into a pain med….is a far cry from waking up in the morning at the bottom of the med cycle, and feeling just aweful….wishing that I had never opened my big mouth. LOL

I believe the children are 7 and 9 years of age, and it must have been terrifying to them. It may have an effect on them for the rest of their lives.

We have not heard any more from them, and I'm guessing that several of their friends are pitching in to help, as they said the other night.

Thanks!

SE
Posted 6/2/2013 9:20 PM (GMT -8)
I've only had one experience w/ tornadoes.... when we lived in Colorado for a couple of years.... and it was a "minor" one. Tornadoes are definitely a scary thing.

SE, I'm glad your family is ok and that they have a good support system. Still - such an eye opener about the frailty of life and that things can change in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts and prayers to those affected by the tornadoes, including your family.

--Tina
Posted 6/3/2013 4:59 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks, Michael. I've missed everyone. I'm done with school for the summer, so I have a bit more free time. Although I've managed to jump right in to working 40 - 60 hr weeks (we're having staffing issues at work at the moment & this is our busiest time of year)! Hopefully things will calm down in another week or two, once the new schedule gets sorted out. I really could use a real break...

Glad your family is already starting the rebuilding process!

Skeye
Posted 6/3/2013 8:20 PM (GMT -8)
Tina, I agree with your reply, and constantly tell my children that their going to miss me when I'm gone! Lol As for me I just cannot get enough quality time with each of them and their children.

I'm so proud of them, and the youngest one who works for the best skin Dr here in Wichita KS, just got promoted to supervisor! I'm just smiling ear to ear with pride! smilewinkgrin

Skeye, I'm proud of you too! I know you have struggled with health issues, and pushed forward to further your education!....and now working full time! What an accomplishment! yeah

The kids have a lot on their plate, and last word was, the city of St Charles has condemned their house. They are young and resilient, and again they have a ton of friends that have been such a blessing during this challenging time.

While we here, are so far away, and are not much physical use to them, we do have, and offer our wisdom. It can be worth quite a bit for those who see and understand the value.

Again, Thank You so much for the support and concern!

SE
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