At least 37 killed as tornado tears through Oklahoma, leaving miles of debris

At least 37 killed as tornado tears through Oklahoma, leaving miles of debris

A monster tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs and killed at least 37 people Monday, pulverizing block after block of homes, tearing the walls off an elementary school and leaving behind miles of mangled cars and splintered wood. Crews frantically searched the wreckage and were only beginning to get a sense of the destruction. Hospitals reported several dozen injured. “The whole city looks like a debris field,” said Mayor Glenn Lewis of the city of Moore, which appeared to be hardest hit. At Plaza Towers Elementary School, the tornado tore the roof off, and authorities kept hysterical parents back because it was too loud to hear screams for help. A teacher told NBC affiliate KFOR that she draped herself on top of six children in a bathroom to shelter them. It was not clear how many children were trapped. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade were evacuated to a church, but students in lower grades had sheltered in place, KFOR reported. More than two hours after the tornado struck, several children were pulled out alive. NBC's Brian Williams and NBC's Al Roker report on the aftermath of a tornado, which is believed to have been up to a mile wide, and left a huge path of destruction as it cut across Moore, Oklahoma. The Weather Channel said the twister was a mile wide at its base, and a reporter for KFOR said it kicked up a cloud of debris perhaps two miles wide. The National Weather Service initially classified the storm as an EF4, the second-strongest type, with winds of 166 to 200 mph.

Prayers to the ones who lost family member's to this storm. I've been through a couple of EF3's and there is no way I would want to see an EF4. Hopefully no one else will get killed by this storm so is it's coming your way find a safe place.

They just raised it to 54, and are thinking that dozens of kids are feared dead in the school that they are searching through right now.

Live coverage from OKC Channel 9: www.news9.com...





And somebody already beat ya in this very forum:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Whoa man thats so sad. Cant hope enough for these families.
Without getting to political too quickly, where is the public outcry for more safety measures when disasters like these strike?
Not to downplay the tragedy, but less people died in the Newtown massacre, yet the government and public response to "prevent" a repeat was overwhelming, despite both tragedies being in my opinion equally unavoidable.
Makes me wonder that's all.

Be safe everyone, no credit to those who tough it out. Take Cover!

This tornado and it horrific aftermath is being discussed here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Please add further comments to the ongoing discussion in the above linked thread.
Thanks

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