In an incredible tale of survival, brothers Royce and Roger Slatten from Elkhorn, Nebraska, narrowly escaped the wrath of an EF-3 tornado that destroyed their home and left them buried in the rubble. The devastating storm, with winds reaching 165 mph, wreaked havoc on the Omaha suburb on Saturday afternoon.

The brothers had initially thought the worst was over when the tornado sirens fell silent, but the warning signs persisted, triggering them to take immediate action. Roger received a call from a friend, urging him to return home as the situation grew increasingly dangerous. He wasted no time and quickly contacted his brother Royce, instructing him to rush back as well.

The EF-3 tornado struck with ferocity, reducing the Slatten home to rubble. The once-standing cinder blocks that framed their basement were now visible remnants of the destruction. Reflecting on the terrifying experience, Roger Slatten described how quickly the events unfolded: "It all happened so fast. I was maybe back home for 45 seconds. From the time I pulled up in front of the house to the time that I was getting buried in the backyard was probably about 90 seconds."

Royce, who had recently returned from a National Guard deployment in February, had been looking forward to a sense of normalcy after being reunited with his brother and sister-in-law. As the tornado approached, both brothers raced upstairs to retrieve one of their dogs before seeking shelter in the basement. However, their respite was short-lived as the force of the tornado pulled the house apart, separating them from each other.

Roger found himself abruptly ripped from his home, buried alive in the yard amidst a chaotic scene of flying debris. Although the situation was perilous, the debris inadvertently shielded him from sharp objects. Meanwhile, Royce, initially filled with relief that the onslaught had ceased, soon realized the gravity of the situation. The house was gone, replaced by nothing but piles of rubble.

Filled with dread, Royce feared the worst, convinced that his brother had been lost in the chaos. His desperate cries for Roger echoed through the neighborhood, a haunting sound that would forever remain etched in his memory. Eventually, Royce mustered the strength to seek help, but his injuries forced him to collapse and await assistance.

Meanwhile, neighbors in the vicinity heard the pleas for help coming from Roger, buried under the weight of his former home. Determined and united, they slowly uncovered him, rescuing him from his dark and terrifying predicament.

The Slatten brothers were subsequently rushed to the hospital as they began their recovery. The sense of relief and gratitude upon reuniting was overwhelming for Royce, who described it as "the biggest wave of relief I think I could ever, ever have."

This harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the destructive power of tornadoes, but also highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The Slatten brothers' survival is nothing short of miraculous, and their story serves as a testament to the importance of preparedness and community support in the face of natural disasters.

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