Jill Duggar Dillard and Kids Wear Bike Helmets, Take Shelter in Closet amid Oklahoma Tornadoes

Mar. 15, 2025

Jill Duggar Dillard shelters in a closet with her kids amid a tornado warning on Nov. 4.Photo:Jill Duggar Dillard/Instagram

Jill Duggar Dillard/Instagram

Asa series of tornadoescaused major devastation throughout parts of Oklahoma,Jill Duggar Dillardand her kids hunkered down in a closet.The mom of three — she shares kidsIsrael David, 9,Samuel Scott, 7, andFrederick “Freddy” Michael, 2, with husband Derick Dillard — documented the family’s experience weathering the storm as one of the tornadoes neared their home on Monday, Nov. 4.While wearing a helmet, Jill, 33, revealed in anInstagram Storiespost that after a tornado warning was issued for their area, the family, whose home is located on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, took shelter in a special closet.“I’m in the closet with my kids,” the mom began in a video. “We have a nice, big closet that’s reinforced for storms, like hurricane-force winds.”Jill Duggar Dillard shares a selfie while sheltering in a closet amid a tornado warning.Jill Duggar Dillard/InstagramThe19 Kids and Countingalum said that her boys “did a great job helping me get everything pulled together here,” as Samuel, 7, handed her an animal cracker from off-screen — which she then bit into.“We’ve got snacks — thank you, Samuel,” she said with a laugh before showing off her own tornado-warning snack: a Twinkie.Jill went on to say that the closet crew was “trying not to stress” and revealed that Derek, who was over “an hour away at work,” was also sheltering due to a tornado warning. “He was in the basement,” she said of her husband. “There’s like multiple tornadoes right now, so we are just trying to stay safe.”Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar with two of their three sons.JILL DUGGAR/INSTAGRAMThe reality show alum also said she was “texting all of our people” as they took shelter, as one of her kids asked, “Mommy, how far away is the tornado?”“It’s close,” she replied, taking a slightly more serious tone. “One of them’s close.“Jill only shared one other post from the closet, a selfie that included her rocking a helmet and holding a Twinkie. “When you pack your safe gear setup, always pack good snacks!” she wrote alongside the pic. “The bicycle helmet is so I have my hands free to eat lol jk. More like stress eating now.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hours later, the19 Kids and Countingalum shared another update after Derek returned home, revealing that the entire family was safe amid the dangerous weather conditions.Alongside anInstagram postcontaining selfies and tornado photos, she wrote, “🌪️We were in the closet wearing our helmets so we could have our hands free to stress eat during the tornado warnings. 😅😬.”“💗Thankfully we are safe now after a crazy afternoon & evening with tornados in the area that had me and the kiddos sheltering at home while Derick sheltered at work,” Jill continued. “And after a treacherous drive home, I’m so glad @derickdillard is finally back home. 💗🙏Our prayers are with those who suffered damage and loss. #oklahomatornadoweather #arkansastornadoweather.”

Asa series of tornadoescaused major devastation throughout parts of Oklahoma,Jill Duggar Dillardand her kids hunkered down in a closet.

The mom of three — she shares kidsIsrael David, 9,Samuel Scott, 7, andFrederick “Freddy” Michael, 2, with husband Derick Dillard — documented the family’s experience weathering the storm as one of the tornadoes neared their home on Monday, Nov. 4.

While wearing a helmet, Jill, 33, revealed in anInstagram Storiespost that after a tornado warning was issued for their area, the family, whose home is located on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, took shelter in a special closet.

“I’m in the closet with my kids,” the mom began in a video. “We have a nice, big closet that’s reinforced for storms, like hurricane-force winds.”

Jill Duggar Dillard shares a selfie while sheltering in a closet amid a tornado warning.Jill Duggar Dillard/Instagram

The19 Kids and Countingalum said that her boys “did a great job helping me get everything pulled together here,” as Samuel, 7, handed her an animal cracker from off-screen — which she then bit into.

“We’ve got snacks — thank you, Samuel,” she said with a laugh before showing off her own tornado-warning snack: a Twinkie.

Jill went on to say that the closet crew was “trying not to stress” and revealed that Derek, who was over “an hour away at work,” was also sheltering due to a tornado warning. “He was in the basement,” she said of her husband. “There’s like multiple tornadoes right now, so we are just trying to stay safe.”

Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar with two of their three sons.JILL DUGGAR/INSTAGRAM

The reality show alum also said she was “texting all of our people” as they took shelter, as one of her kids asked, “Mommy, how far away is the tornado?”

“It’s close,” she replied, taking a slightly more serious tone. “One of them’s close.”

Jill only shared one other post from the closet, a selfie that included her rocking a helmet and holding a Twinkie. “When you pack your safe gear setup, always pack good snacks!” she wrote alongside the pic. “The bicycle helmet is so I have my hands free to eat lol jk. More like stress eating now.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Hours later, the19 Kids and Countingalum shared another update after Derek returned home, revealing that the entire family was safe amid the dangerous weather conditions.

Alongside anInstagram postcontaining selfies and tornado photos, she wrote, “🌪️We were in the closet wearing our helmets so we could have our hands free to stress eat during the tornado warnings. 😅😬.”

“💗Thankfully we are safe now after a crazy afternoon & evening with tornados in the area that had me and the kiddos sheltering at home while Derick sheltered at work,” Jill continued. “And after a treacherous drive home, I’m so glad @derickdillard is finally back home. 💗🙏Our prayers are with those who suffered damage and loss. #oklahomatornadoweather #arkansastornadoweather.”

source: people.com