Off The Record
A terrifying storm swept through a mobile home in Tennessee on December 9, causing widespread destruction. Sydney Moore and Aramis Youngblood, parents of a four-month-old baby, experienced a harrowing ordeal when their son was swept away by the storm.
Sydney, 22, vividly described the moment the tornado ripped off the roof of their home as it approached. The tornado lifted the bassinet with their baby, Lord, and Aramis desperately tried to catch him.
According to Sydney, “The tip of the tornado came down and picked up the bassinet with my baby, Lord, in it. He was the first thing to go up.”
Lt. Steven Bryant of the Clarksville Fire Rescue, one of the first responders, recounted the chaos that followed when Sydney walked over a mile to seek help. Aramis also shared the terrifying experience of holding onto the spinning bassinet during the tornado.
In a split second, Sydney’s maternal instinct kicked in as she realized the danger her one-year-old son, Princeton, was in. She bravely rushed to jump on top of him to shield him from the crumbling walls.
Sydney and Princeton miraculously escaped the wreckage with minimal injuries. Once the tornado had passed, the search for Lord began. Aramis was seen walking through the woods, carrying Lord in the pouring rain, his clothes torn. It was a scene straight out of a movie, as Sydney described it.
Sydney’s relief was overwhelming as she handed Lord over to Lt. Steven Bryant. Hearing Lord cry reassured Bryant that he had not suffered any life-threatening injuries. Sydney compared Lord’s location during the tornado to a “little tree cradle,” and they were profoundly grateful that he was found alive and well.
Despite losing their home and car to the storm, Sydney’s sister, Caitlyn Moore, created a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. The campaign has surpassed its initial target, raising over $105,000 by December 20, 2023. The funds will help the family purchase a new home, furnishings, a car, insurance, and other necessities.
