September 16, 2004
Miller County - As tornados swept through Miller County, three frightened young brothers took cover. "It was coming this way so we ran into the house and got in the closet," remembers 12 year old Seth Dean.
Seth is the oldest. Their father wasn't home so he tried to keep everyone calm. Seth said "My mom was just crying about it."
The sounds of the twister had them terrified. "I heard that noise, man I got scared, very scared," said youngest brother six year old Michael Maugeri, Jr.
Eleven-year-old Austin Dean explained "We only heard cracking for about seven minutes then it was all silent."
The boys looked outside when it was all over. Austin explains "It tore up his garage, the hood off his boat and tore off our chimney off our house."
The tornado mangled their tree house, left their trampoline looking more like a pretzel "and the basketball goal, man it broke it, "says Michael.
A trailer next door could have been broken too, had a nearby tree fallen any closer.
The winds were still gusty today. A large part of a nearby tree even fell during our interview. Michael jumped and said "I was scared about that thing."
Although they're still a little scared about the weather. Their father's feeling something else. Michael Maugeri Sr. explains "I feel blessed because we're all right," and they're all right because these brothers stuck together to keep each other safe.
The family is worried about the cost of repairs because they don't have home insurance. To find out how you can help call (229) 248 - 7435.
Posted by jennifer.hulsey@walb.com at 8:50 PM.
The brothers will always remember their encounter with a tornado.
This is the actual funnel cloud that came within feet of the boys' home in Miller County (Courtesy: Vince Widner)
The Dean's tree house was left in tatters by the twister.
Another view of the tornado (Courtesy: Vince Widner)
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