Rescuers In Moore Say They Won't Stop Searching Until Everyone Is Found

As of now, 24 people are dead, including nine young children. Governor Mary Fallin says she has no idea how many people are still missing.

Tuesday, May 21st 2013, 6:01 pm

By: News On 6


The National Weather Service said Tuesday the tornado that devastated Moore was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 tornado. The Medical Examiner's Office originally reported 51 people had been killed, including 20 children. Those numbers were revised Tuesday, when it was discovered the victims were accidentally counted twice.

As of now, 24 people are dead, including nine young children.

Governor Mary Fallin says she has no idea how many people are still missing.

Rescuers in Moore say they plan to search every house and car at least three times.

Governor Fallin held a joint news conference Tuesday afternoon to give us new details about the search and recovery operation.

"You really put yourself in the shoes of those parents that are looking for their kids," said Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

So far, the Medical Examiner has confirmed 24 deaths and more than 200 injuries.

Overnight, Oklahoma National Guardsmen searched through the debris using thermal imagery systems to help locate anyone who may be trapped under the rubble, and 101 survivors were found.

"At a couple of different churches, parents were reunited with their kids and that was great news. Sorry to get choked up, but I'm obviously emotional and I'm running on fumes," Lamb said.

Governor Fallin and other city and state officials got to look at the destruction from the air.

The path is 20 miles long and about two miles wide.

"We will get through this. We will overcome and we will rebuild and we will regain our strength," Fallin said.

Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis said there are six neighborhoods that are nothing but slabs.

"This has been quite an experience. I was actually the mayor in May of 1999, so this is not my first rodeo with this, but it doesn't get any easier, especially with the loss of life," Lewis said.

President Obama signed a major disaster declaration, ordering federal funding for relief efforts in this damaged city.

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