The devastating photo of a Missouri mother’s three girls seeking refuge in their home’s bathroom shows the last moments they spent together before the tornado smashed through the house, killing the eldest girl.
Annistyn Rackley, 9, was killed when the twister shattered their Caruthersville home, sending the family dozens of yards through the air and into a field, where they were discovered in mud by first responders. The nine-year-old girl was one of at least 88 people killed in a swarm of tornadoes that swept across five states on Friday, causing havoc everywhere.
While giving an interview to a local news agency, Annistyn’s great-aunt, Sandra Hooker said “Their house is splintered. There’s debris strewn forever out in the field, and so they were sucked up into the tornado.”
Annistyn’s baby sister Avalinn, 7, told physicians and nurses at a Memphis hospital, “I was flying around in the tornado and I begged to Jesus to take care of me, and he spit me out — and the tornado spit me out into the mud.”
Unfortunately, Annistyn, a third-grader who enjoyed dancing, cheerleading, and swimming lost her life. The other members of the family were hurt but survived.
Avalinn, the middle kid, has damaged vertebrae in her back and will undergo a surgery on Wednesday. Mother, Meghan Rackley, 32, sustained a brain damage as well as a huge cut and other shattered bones. The family is requesting the community to pray for her.
Meghan’s Husband, Trey Rackley, 37, and the youngest daughter, Alanna, 3, were both released from the hospital after suffering scratches and bruises.
As rescuers continue their search operation, the death toll from the storms is expected to grow, according to data provided by each state.
May Annistyn’s life rests in peace and please don’t forget to pray for the speedy recovery of Meghan.