Six convicts escape from a medium security prison in eastern Missouri in 1993 when the facility takes a direct hit from a tornado - at night! While they try to team up in pairs, each is left "in the dark" as to which direction to go, and how to avoid capture. At some point in their escape each man questions if he made the right decision - or if he would have been better off staying behind bars.

The local residents are totally unaware of the prison break but are equally hampered by the effects of the strong tornado. From vehicle accidents to housing collapses, and total loss of electric and phone service, a select few have the further burden of interacting with one or more escapees. The local county sheriff struggles to help secure the remaining prisoners, while trying track down those who are threatening the families he was elected to protect. News of a murder at the prison itself only heightens the need to capture the six and bring them all back to justice.