At least 24 people are dead, including 9 children, after Monday. The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles in diameter at the height of its powers, with winds up to 200 mph. Emergency personnel have so far rescued 101 people from rubble in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
At least 7 of the 9 children killed were at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, just south of the Oklahoma City area. The school with many children still inside. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb told CNN that some of the children killed at Plaza Towers likely drowned in the basement during the storm.
Plaza Towers Elementary after the storm.(Via )
Emergency personnel in the metropolitan area have pulled 101 people from the rubble so far and are continuing to search for survivors as of Tuesday morning. Moore, Oklahoma Mayor Glen Lewis that they are optimistic that they “might find one or two people.”
President Barack Obama signed an order , and has diverted federal aid to supplement state recovery efforts in the area.
Severe weather is in the area with hail, severe thunderstorms, and more tornadoes.