Tornado near Rolla MO took out 2 homes of extended family

January 03, 2011|by Linda Russell, KY3 News | lrussell@ky3.com

ROLLA, Mo. -– An EF3 tornado destroyed at least three houses along County Road 8070 north of Rolla as it skipped over hills and down into valleys last Friday morning. Two of those homes belonged to members of the Grisham family. On Monday, they talked about how they survived.

Ryan and Krystal Grisham were just getting ready for breakfast when they heard the storm was coming.

“I was out on the porch; I had the wife and kids down in the basement,” said Ryan Grisham.

Grisham says the sky darkened and the wind picked up. He made it to safety in the nick of time.

“I come running through here and got just about half way down and it started coming in; debris started blowing in,” he said.

Ryan, Krystal and their four kids huddled in the corner of their basement, next to the washer and dryer. Debris landed just inches from where they took shelter.

“If it wasn't for the basement, I don't think we'd be here,” Grisham said.

Grisham is thankful he, his wife, and four kids, ages 10, 8, 6 and 2, are still alive, and the rest of his family is okay too.

“We were just able to climb up in the living room here and out the front and headed up to grandma and grandpa's to make sure they're okay,” he said.

Ryan's grandfather, Charles, was working in his shop when he heard a noise and went to check it out.

“This doorway right here, the door was a caving in. I knew it was going to hit me, so I dived under this automobile to keep the door from hitting me. The door went up. That's the last I remember of it,” said Charles Grisham.

Charles says he and the car moved a little but it stayed and didn't get blown away like much of the building.

“They can't believe I went under that car,” said Charles.

On Monday, family and friends helped pick up pieces that the twister left.

“We're all going to pitch in; we'll all help them,” said Tina Yeggy, Ryan’s sister.

The victims of this storm are thankful for all the help, and especially thankful for their lives.

“It's just been a blessing,” said Ryan.

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