A powerful EF-2 tornado tore through Villa Ridge, Missouri, on Friday, but 13 residents managed to survive by taking shelter inside a local Burger King bathroom.
Villa Ridge, a small town located about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, was hit hard by the storm. A video from that night showed the tornado in the background, lit up by lightning, heading straight toward the Burger King and a nearby gas station.
Trapped but Safe
The tornado partially destroyed both the restaurant and gas station, trapping employees and customers inside. Gabriella Breeding, the Burger King general manager, was on the phone with her staff when the tornado struck. As she rushed to the store, she called 911 for help.
When firefighters arrived, they initially believed no one was inside. But Breeding insisted that employees and customers were still trapped. After searching again, the rescue team heard voices and saw a flashlight inside the wreckage. They quickly entered and safely rescued all 13 people.
No Injuries Reported
Miraculously, no one inside the Burger King was injured. The group had managed to stay safe by taking cover in the restaurant’s bathroom. However, the storm caused significant damage. One employee’s car parked outside was completely destroyed.
The restaurant is expected to remain closed for at least three months while repairs are made. In the meantime, Burger King has offered its 20 employees temporary jobs at other locations.
Widespread Tornado Damage
The EF-2 tornado traveled 13 miles from Villa Ridge to Wildwood, Missouri, according to the National Weather Service.
This storm was part of a larger system that devastated several states, destroying schools and overturning semi-trucks. Across the U.S., at least 32 people lost their lives.
Missouri was hit the hardest, with at least 12 reported deaths. In Kansas, a dust storm caused a massive highway pileup involving over 50 vehicles, killing eight people. In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that six people died, three were missing, and 29 others were injured.
A Lucky Escape
Despite the widespread destruction, the 13 Burger King employees and customers in Villa Ridge were incredibly fortunate to make it through the storm unharmed. Their quick thinking and decision to take shelter in a safe place likely saved their lives.
