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BlkTallFullfig -> RE: Disaster in OKlahoma (5/20/2013 9:37:43 PM)
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http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/20/18375741-at-least-51-killed-including-20-children-as-tornado-tears-through-oklahoma-leaving-miles-of-debris?lite
By Erin McClam, Staff Writer, NBC News
An enormous tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing at least 51 people, including 20 children Monday. The twister pulverized entire city blocks, left behind miles of mangled cars and splintered wood, and destroyed an elementary school where seven children were found dead.
Crews frantically searched the wreckage and were only beginning to get a sense of the destruction when night fell hours later. Officials warned the death toll could climb. At one hospital, 85 patients, including 65 children, were being treated for minor to critical injuries.
“The whole city looks like a debris field,” said Mayor Glenn Lewis of the city of Moore, which appeared to be the hardest hit.
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At least seven of the dead children were killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School, where the tornado tore the roof off the school about 3 p.m. A teacher told NBC affiliate KFOR that she draped herself on top of six children in a bathroom to shelter them. Officials said the dead children drowned in a pool of water at the decimated school.
It was not clear how many children still were missing. 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.
http://gma.yahoo.com/oklahoma-tornado-children-among-least-51-dead-horrific-015254927--abc-news-topstories.html.quote:
First responders began the grim task of digging people -- including children at two elementary schools -- out of piles of rubble this evening after a devastating monster tornado roared through the Oklahoma city metropolitan area, leaving at least 51 people dead.
Among the dead were children from one of the devastated elementary schools in Moore, Okla., local officials said.
Desperate parents stood around what was left of the devastated Plaza Towers Elementary School, many of them sobbing, as rescuers worked to to help pull out school children and faculty.
"I know there's a number of dead children from that school," Oklahoma City Police spokesman Sgt. Gary Knight said. "I know the number is around seven
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I think my house is crushed... and here is why... if my parents are alive. Are your parents in OK, and possibly in the middle of this? I pray they are safe/alive.
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ORIGINAL: Rawni
Apparently, first reports are wrong. They are reporting now that two dozen children are either dead or feared dead at one of the schools.
Thank you for the link so we can get direct tweets and reports! You are welcome. I very been in shock almost, looking at this, feeling like "Is this in The United States? What is the world coming to? What is happening with these people, and I hear of very few shelters, and no underground in homes there. I hope Help comes immediately, to save everyone who has to be under the rubble that is this
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