SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Among many survival stories from Friday’s deadly storms is that of Kimberly Cooksey and her family.

“That little box right there is what kept us safe,” Cooksey said, pointing to the bathroom in her daughter’s home, which is now just about the only part of the structure standing.

Cooksey said she got home about 15-20 minutes before the storm passed through Friday, spawning an EF-3 tornado that touched down in Sullivan County and hit one neighborhood on the south side of Sullivan particularly hard.

Cooksey said her daughter begged her to come to her home and help, as she had her own baby daughter and others in that home seeking shelter.

“Within moments it was here and it was on us,” Cooksey recalled. “I was able to save seven of us.”

Seven lives saved in a storm that took the lives of three Sullivan residents.

Cooksey said she prayed to her own mother during the height of the storm.

“My mom, I begged for her to wrap her arms around us,” Cooksey said, crying. “I felt her and so that’s what saved us.”

Cooksey’s story of faith and survival is one of many in both the Sullivan County and Crawford County communities; sources of light in such a dark time.