‘Her bed was right there:’ Dad grabs toddler out of bedroom moments before it’s destroyed in the storms

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE/Gray News) - A father in Indiana is grateful that his family is safe after their home was destroyed in the storms that tore through Tuesday.

As tornado sirens went off and violent winds started to shake the foundation of his home, Oing’s only thought was for his two-year-old daughter Renley, who was upstairs in her room.

“Phones went off, we got alerts, I immediately went upstairs and grabbed my daughter and ran down to the main level,” he said.

It was then he heard the sound of the storm impacting his home.

“Like a real shutter shake,” he said.

When Oing, his wife and Renley emerged from their shelter after the storm, he realized how lucky they had been.

The storm had destroyed the family’s home, leaving a gaping hole in the room where Renley had been. Oing said that most of the contents in the room had been sucked out through the hole.

“This is where my daughter was, her bed was right there,” he said, pointing to a spot in the room with the ceiling completely blown off. “I couldn’t imagine if we weren’t able to get here out of here.”

Most of the second floor was also swept away, along with Renley’s room.

Although his house is wrecked, Oing is grateful his family is safe and learned life shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“All this can be replaced,” Oing said. “It’s a little bit of an inconvenience. You know, obviously getting stuff out and having a place to stay. But, losing my daughter or my wife, you can’t replace that.”

Oing said they’ve had neighbors and family volunteer their time, even taking off days from work, to help their family get back on their feet.

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