By Carl Manning
American Red Cross

Gregory Gerling looks at the family home that was damaged by a tornado that passed through the tiny community of Villa Ridge, MO, and chokes up as he begins to explain what they went through.

He recalled watching the weather report on TV and calling his mother to warn her about the approaching tornado, only for her to tell him to take shelter because he was in its path.

With his wife, Taylor Gerling, and their five sons, aged 2, 8, 9, 13, and 15, they rushed to the basement. Just as they thought they were safe, their world started to radically change.

The lights flickered briefly, and suddenly they were in the dark, listening to glass shattering and the roof being torn off. Then, they felt rain and knew the roof was gone.

“Everything was flying around, but we stayed together and were able to hold on to each other,” she recalled. “It felt like something was surrounding us, holding us together.”

Gregory nodded in agreement before adding, “That’s all that matters. We survived together, and the children are all OK.”

Taylor said the children were soaking wet, but the nearby clothes dryer provided the change of clothing they needed.

“Thankfully, the laundry room was in the basement,” she said.

Gregory said his priority is finding a place to live so the family can reunite. Currently, they are split between the homes of his mother and his wife's mother, and since their home was a rental, they will need to find another place to stay.

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

Despite what they have been through, Gregory and Taylor said they feel fortunate that nobody was injured.

“It was really a miracle. God was watching over us, and nobody was hurt—I truly believe that,” Taylor said.

Gregory nodded in agreement as he surveyed the remains of their home, holding two of his sons close to him.