'Wondering If I Was Going To Die': Sulphur Business Owner Recalls Moments Storm Destroyed Business And Trapped Her Under Rubble

As storms rolled into downtown Sulphur, a local business owner said was fighting for her life, as well as the lives of her customers.

Raina’s Sports Lounge owner Raina Valkoun said it was a typical Saturday night at her bar with many of her regulars, but in an instant, the walls began to cave in around them.

While more than a dozen people were inside Raina’s Sports Lounge when the building began to collapse, Valkoun said she was buried under five feet of debris.

After being pinned for 45 minutes, first responders thought they rescued everyone, but Valkoun said one of her long time friends and customers didn't make it.

“I was hoping that they’d find her and she had found a breathing hole like I did, I’m hoping that she went fast," Valkoun said. "What I did was lay there wondering if I was going to die or not die...I’m hoping she didn’t have that worry."

Now, Raina is heartbroken by the loss of her friend and bar, but thankful to see another day.

“I went around and have seen these homes, I see people but they are alive," Valkoun said.

State leaders say around 30 people were injured from this particular storm, and Valkoun said about half of those people were in her bar.