A deadly EF-3 tornado recently swept through the town of Clarksville, Tennessee. When it did so, it wrecked many homes, including the mobile home in which 22-year-old mother of two Sydney Moore lived with her young children. Horrifyingly, the tornado ripped the roof off the home and sucked the baby’s bassinet up with it, though fortunately the child was later found alive.
The tornado hit on the afternoon of Saturday, December 9, and when it arrived, Moore was at home with her her 1-year-old, 4-month-old, and her boyfriend, the father of both children. As the tornado obliterated the mobile home, Moore’s boyfriend rushed to save the four-month-old but was sucked away with the baby and bassinet. Moore apparently saw the tornado spin them both around, but had the presence of mind to protect her other child.
Speaking about jumping on the 1-year-old boy to protect him when she heard the wind howling outside, Moore told WSMV, “Something in me just told me to run and jump on top of my son. Literally the moment I jumped on him, the walls collapsed.”
And, describing the destruction of their home, she said, “The roof came off first, the tip of the tornado came down and picked up the bassinet with my baby, Lord, in it. He was the first thing to go up.” Then, describing what happened to her boyfriend when he tried to keep hold of the baby, she said, “He was just holding on to the bassinet the whole time, and they went into circles, he said, and then they got thrown.”
Then, the tornado left as soon as it arrived, and Moore was crushed under the debris of the mobile home with her one-year-old. She was eventually able to push through the debris and make it out, at which point she frantically searched for her family members, assuming the worst.
But, within minutes, she was relieved to find the little baby alive, lying in a tree that fell during the storm. She said, “I thought he was dead. I was pretty sure he was dead and we weren’t going to find him. But he’s here, and that’s by the grace of God.” Her boyfriend miraculously lived as well, and all made it through with only minor cuts and bruises.
But they lost all their possessions in the storm, and though their community rallied around them to help in the aftermath, they need lots of help to rebuild. Moore’s sister took to GoFundMe to ask the internet for help in a fundraiser that has so far raised about $79,000 out of a $100,000 goal.
In the GoFundMe, Moore’s sister wrote, “I’m Caitlyn Moore and I am raising money for my sister and nephews after the loss of everything including their home and car. My nephews are 1 year and 4 months of age. Their rental company has graciously put them in a hotel for a month. They did not have insurance on their car, so unfortunately that is a total loss. The tornado took all of the formula, diapers, wipes, clothing, etc. My sister was laying over 1 of her sons when the trailer picked them up, threw them, picked them up again, and then ended. My sister had to push the trailer off of her and the 1 year old, Princeton. Her 4 month old son was also thrown multiple times. It took the effort of the emergency responders as well as my sister and her fiancé to find my nephew. She is also missing one of her cats, Balue. He is grey. Her home was located off Evans/Batts on a small secluded road called Biglen Rd in Clarksville TN. She lost all of her and the children’s belongings. Luckily everyone came out with minor cuts and bruises, her fiancé suffered a broken arm/shoulder. Lord, the 4 month old had to have his ear glued from a cut. We are told that he looked like he was placed on the tree gently. Like an angel guided him safely to that spot. If anyone would like to reach out and offer prayers, donations, support, anything you can reach my sister on her Facebook page, SYDNEY MOORE. It doesn’t have a profile picture as she just made this page. She lost her phone in the storm as well.”
She added, “This disaster has affected more than just this family, so I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. If you cannot donate, a simple share would be enough. I thank each of you for taking the time to read through this post, donating, and praying for everyone involved. God Bless.”\
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