'Gut feeling' two months ago saved family on Saturday afternoon

by Chad Plein, KY3 News

'Gut feeling' two months ago saved family on Saturday afternoon

Denny Kruse stands beside the Twister Safe that saved his family's life on Saturday. (Taka Yokoyama/KY3 NEWS)

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By Gene Hartley

NEOSHO, Mo. -- We’ve seen and heard from people this week who were miraculously spared by the twister that hit Newton County on Saturday. A man who lives near Neosho says his family is alive thanks to a gut decision that he made two months ago.

All Denny Kruse can say is, out of nowhere, he felt he had to buy something to protect his family from a possible tornado.

On Thursday, Kruse welcomed insurance adjustors to his home, showing them where things were before the tornado hit.

Kruse’s family is one of a few who survived the storm in a Twister Safe.

“The convenience of it saved our lives; you don't have to crawl under the home or go outside,” he said.

The tornado totaled the Kruses’ two-year-old home and many others on Iris Road north of Seneca and Neosho.

“There are a lot of blessings here; we could be attending funerals today,” he said.

A nearby home was leveled but nobody was home. The Kruses were home, and survived, thanks to a safe room that was installed just two months ago.

“It’s a lesson to learn; listen to good impulse; protect your family,” said Kruse.

Kruse went into the garage and joined his family in the safe. When he closed the door, he could hear hail breaking through the garage door. Twenty seconds later, they heard hail hitting the top of the vault. That's when they knew the house was gone.

“We were in there about 20 minutes; we weren't panicky,” he said.

For a couple thousand dollars, this minister was able to protect what you can’t put a price tag on.

“If brick is swirling around at 200 miles per hour, there’s not much you can do to protect yourself,” said Kruse. “At one point my wife said, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ and it feels good protecting your family.”

The Kruses aren't sure if they'll rebuild or buy a new home but it's a safe guess of what's going with them.

“I'd like to say I knew a tornado was coming; that's part of the story. The other part is why? And that's something you'll never understand; just know everything happens for a reason,” he said.

The safe didn't move an-inch despite the home being totaled.

These safes can withstand 250mph winds. They're made from 3/16-inch steel and are bolted and epoxied to a foundation -- in this case, the Kruses’ cement garage floor.

The family was trapped for almost a half hour inside the vault with debris blocking the door. Contractors say it's okay because cell phones work from within the safes, and usually emergency crews respond to damage within an hour.

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