Tornado Shatter the city of Oklahoma

• Two entire schools flattened in Moore, Oklahoma after 200 mph winds pulverized a 30-square-mile stretch yesterday
• Officials originally said there were as many as 91 people dead - with 51 confirmed - but on Tuesday morning they corrected this to say there were 24 confirmed dead; some people had been counted twice amid the chaos
• Authorities now fear for around 40 more; at least 240 have been injured, including 60 children
• More than 20 children could be among the dead, including the seven found drowned in Plaza Towers
• Children were told to hold on to the walls, while teachers shielding the students with their bodies
• Hundreds of homes wiped out and more than 50,000 people left without power
• The devastating tornado was larger than 1999 storm in the area that left 36 people dead

Picture of tornado as it rams into the community

Devastated families are frantically searching for young children trapped under the rubble of an elementary school that was flattened after a monster two-mile wide tornado roared through Moore in Oklahoma, leaving dozens dead.

Initial reports said as many as 91 people across the suburb south of Oklahoma City could have been killed in the tragedy, but officials confirmed on Tuesday morning there have been 24 deaths, including nine children. They explained that some had been counted twice amid the chaos.

Officials now fear for as many as 40 others and expect the death count to rise. At least 240 people are injured, 60 of these children, and searches continue for people who could be trapped under the rubble of homes and buildings that have been reduced to rubble.

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in Moore. Speaking from the White House on Tuesday morning, he said that FEMA staff were on the ground to provide support to residents.

 

Desolate: Hours after the damage, community looks like a war-torn area.

rescue operation in top gear

Officials discover a child covered by broken walls

Girl rescued after wall collapsed on her

Teachers rescue survivors of tornado

rescue operation ongoing

Man left shattered as he watch his home gone

Nothing left: Another aged man seat on his favorite rocking chair where his house used to be... All gone

Before the tornado damage

After the tornado damage

School children survive the tornado damage, but will always remember this

A woman rescued after breaking her neck

Volunteers: Short hours after calling for volunteers, hundreds trooped in to join in the rescue mission