ORRICK, Mo. – A small town with a population of about 800 was hit by a tornado shortly after 5 p.m. during Saturday’s storms.
Orrick, Missouri highway patrol said that no one was hurt from Saturday’s tornado, which was really miraculous when you look at the damage it caused.
Highway patrol says 80 percent of the town suffered some damage, including 200 to 300 homes, the roof blown off the school, all in a matter of minutes.
Highway patrol, police and fire were asking people to stay away on Saturday evening. Letting homeowners in, but keeping nonresidents out because they said it was still dangerous.
The people in small town Orrick barely recognize their streets or homes following the twister. Michael Arnold lives there with his wife and kids and had just returned from buying a Mother`s Day gift.
“Trees down, power lines down, stuff just scattered everywhere,” said Arnold, whose home was destroyed. “I pulled up, got the kids out and down in the basement, and then literally two minutes after that, we were all down in the basement and everything started happening.”
Neighbors across the small town experiencing the same things in the short minute and a half the tornado stormed through.
“You could see it. It hadn`t come down yet, so we started getting everybody out and getting them in the basements,” said Jacob Waters, who lives in Orrick. “It was a train. It sounded like a train going through.”
Windows were busted out and power lines were downed.
“Our house was shaking and the dirt was coming in the house,” said Dawn Reznicek a resident of Orrick.
People were holding one another and crying tears, grasping even the smallest members of their families.
In the Arnold home, damage throughout the house included the nursery and a tree through the refrigerator.
“The baby`s room, there`s a branch, two branches sticking from the ceiling,” said Arnold.
One mother came out to check on her son and his kids.
“I`m just glad the babies are okay. I need to see them. I really need to see my babies,” she said.
Sweet reunions took place for many families, who are grateful for what cannot be replaced.
“We`re just all relieved that everybody`s okay and we made it out. We can replace our things. We can`t replace our lives,” said Arnold.
A town full of people who will stand together and rebuild.
“All the churches, none of them got touched, so you know God was with us,” said Reznicek.
Highway Patrol is crediting the people of Orrick for heeding warning sirens and taking shelter. They said the “system worked the way it was supposed to.”
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Eagleton Civic Center, located at 1015 W Royle St. in Richmond, Mo., where they are providing food, water, and a place to sleep for victims. The Salvation Army is also on the scene.
How to Help the Salvation Army with disaster relief efforts:
The best way to help The Salvation Army serve those affected by the Orrick, Missouri tornado is to make a monetary contribution.
By Phone:
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY [1-800-725-2769]
By Mail:
To donate via mail, please send your check, designated “Orrick, Missouri Tornado” to:
THE SALVATION ARMY
3637 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111
Donations of Household Good and Clothing:
Due to the emergency situation, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual donations of household goods or clothing (gifts-in-kind) will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. PLEASE continue to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store. You will help your community and help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.
