A woman says her family is alive and well today, after enduring a catastrophic tornado in South Carolina, because God protected them.

The deadly storm hit Orangeburg County Monday, killing nine people in South Carolina. According to meteorologists, three tornados touched down to cause the destruction.

Allison Ritter and her four children were inside their home when the storm began, the Index Journal reports.

"I started hearing all the wind blowing, windows breaking, trees cracking, debris just hitting up against the house," Ritter says.

She gathered her children and they quickly huddled together in the bathroom.

But the destruction happening outside did not touch Ritter and her kids. The mother-of-four says it was God's protection that kept them safe.

 

"None of the kids knew what was going on," says Ritter." Between all the wind blowing and trees falling, I just kept calling on Jesus. That's all I know to do in a case like this. He just kept His hand over us.

"I just wanted to make sure we were all safe."

Ritter is grateful she and her family are safe today.

"I just thank God for shielding and protecting us through this storm because I hear many didn't make it," she says.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster says the state is working together to tackle the disaster of the storm while they continue to combat COVID-19.

"The greatness of the devastation we witnessed in Hampton County was matched only by the spirit of resilience and resolve of the people we saw," McMaster says in a social media post shared Tuesday.

McMaster called the state a "big family.

"The worst nature can throw at us will only bring out the best in us," McMaster says.