Burger King customers, workers get trapped in bathroom as tornado hits Missouri town
A group of 13 workers and customers at a Missouri Burger King took shelter in the restaurant’s bathroom when a powerful tornado touched down but became trapped as the storm rained down destruction, news outlets report.
The EF2 tornado formed near Villa Ridge at about 9 p.m. March 14 and moved about 14 miles in roughly 15 minutes, damaging structures along the way, the National Weather Service’s St. Louis office said on X, formerly known as Twitter. At its widest, it spanned 130 yards.
Villa Ridge is a roughly 40-mile drive southwest of St. Louis.
The group that took refuge in the bathroom included people who were in the drive-thru line when the tornado began, according to KTVI. The restaurant is attached to a convenience store.
The gas station, convenience store and restaurant were all damaged, according to KSDK. The roof off the gas station was partially ripped off, the windows of the convenience store shattered, and the damage turned the shelter into a trap.
Gabriella Breeding, the restaurant’s general manager, called 911 after workers called her and told her they were trapped inside the building, FOX Weather reported. When she got there, local firefighters had already checked the building and thought it was empty, until she told them to look again.
Calls for help and a flashlight beam led the firefighters to those trapped in the bathroom, according to FOX Weather.
Everyone trapped was rescued, and none were injured, KTVI reported.
KSDK reported two people in Villa Ridge were hospitalized for minor injuries. However, the weekend’s storms caused widespread damage and destruction throughout the Midwest.
News releases from Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe listed 12 deaths caused by the 19 tornadoes that tore across 27 of the state’s counties on March 14. The extreme weather was preceded by wildfires.
“Hundreds of homes, schools, and businesses have been either destroyed or severely damaged. At the height of the storm, more than 140,000 homes and businesses were without power, and 101 roads were closed due to debris, flooding, and structural damage,” the governor’s office said. “While significant progress has been made, approximately 47,000 customers remain without power as crews continue restoration efforts.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
