Tornado Survivor: A Look Back Published May 20, 2016 By Kimberly Woodruff Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- On May 20, 2013, an F-5 tornado destroyed parts of Moore, changing lives forever. One of those whose life was altered is Tech. Sgt. Rhonda Stockstill, who works in the surgery clinic of the 72nd Medical Group. "The tornado sounded like a 747 airplane and a wood chipper," said the sergeant, whose family -- consisting of four adults and two dogs -- huddled for safety under the staircase in a closet. Sergeant Stockstill, a native Oklahoman, has always been aware of tornadoes, but had never been through one. At the time, the sergeant, her husband of four months and both her parents were all living under one roof. After the tornado passed, they emerged and walked out the front door. Everything was leveled. "The front of our house looked like nothing had happened," she said. "But it was like a western facade, like in the movies. The roof and the back of the house were gone." Sergeant Stockstill said the experience was the eeriest, oddest feeling. It was quiet, but not quiet. "There were gas lines hissing, water spewing, electricity popping and cracking, and car horns were going off," she said. "We kept hearing something like a high pitched roar, and as we came around the corner, we could hear children screaming." Still in her uniform, she grabbed her medical bag and headed off to help out at Briarwood Elementary School, which had taken a direct hit. "I was in shock myself, but my training kicked in," said Sergeant Stockstill. "I looked at each person and evaluated them. If they were OK, I sent them to the middle of the field, away from the demolished building." Sergeant Stockstill's family helped to dig out about 100 people from the rubble, though a few didn't survive. Their belongings were wet from the rains. Hoping to salvage some things, the sergeant's family put items in bins to sort through at a later date. "Things put in bins for storage were moldy by the time we got back to them a month later," she said. "Whatever you thought was salvageable, wasn't." Sergeant Stockstill knows material things can be replaced. "I don't have close to the heart memorabilia," she said. "I have one senior picture on the wall, and the rest is digital so I can recreate it." "God was with us that day, and He still is," Sergeant Stockstill said. A cross was left untouched hanging on the wall and on a beam directly above the small area the family took shelter, they found a Bible, unharmed. Preparation advice · Sergeant Stockstill said one of the most important things to do is to make a complete inventory of your belongings. Do it now, before a major disaster strikes. Document everything with serial numbers, photos and video, then keep those things someplace safe. It can make a big difference in dealing with your insurance company following a tornado or any natural disaster. The insurance company wants proof of what you owned. "You might think you remember everything you own," she said. "Oh no, you will not." · You still have to pay your bills, even mortgage on a house that isn't there. You need to call and have utilities turned off and let the mortgage company know your house is gone. Keeping copies of bill collectors and their contact information with your emergency kit will save a lot of heartache. Also, it is a good idea to have copies of important documents such as marriage licenses, divorce decrees, birth certificates, adoption certificates and the like. · Everyone should have a shelter, stocked with a safety kit. Include tools for shutting off utilities, water, gas and electricity. Keep a notepad and pencil or pen to write down things immediately afterward. Sergeant Stockstill said people will ask you what you need, so have everyone's sizes handy so people can help out with clothing. · Download a free weather app on your phone like ATS weather, the Be Ready App or one of the apps from local news stations. The apps are free and will give you the warnings even if you lose power. Emergency Kit: Take one or two large ice chests with a sturdy lid and fill it with items like battery operated flash lights, radio and a fan, medications, snacks and water. Also include items for pets such as food and collapsible crates to keep them safe after the storm. Keep a couple of large coffee cans with lids, toilet paper and baggies, in case someone needs a bathroom break while you're in the shelter. Sergeant Stockstill also suggested having tools with the emergency kit so you could turn off utilities.