The aftermath of Monday’s supposed two-mile wide tornado in Oklahoma remains a complete and utter devastation. Previous sources pegged the death toll at 91, but the Oklahoma Medical Examiner reports at least 24 people dead and another 145 injured in Moore, OK. At least 7 of the deaths are children. The wrath lasted 40 minutes, etching a 22-mile path of annihilation.
The tornado absolutely razed the Oklahoma City Metro region to the ground, leveling neighborhoods as well as hospitals and schools including Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore where at least 7 children are thought to have died in the chaos.
According to CNN this morning, “At one point, an estimated 24 children were missing from the school, but some later turned up at nearby churches.” Sadly, its still unclear how many children are missing, and out of those how many are still alive.
The Moore hospital was also in the path of the twister leaving the approximately 145 injured to be rushed to other medical centers, such as the Oklahoma University Medical Center where Dr. Roxie Albrecht says injuries ranged from minor to severe, including impalement and crushing injuries.
The tornado first touched down in Newcastle, Oklahoma, before leaving desruction in its wake through neighboring Moore. An early estimate rated the tornado as an EF4, meaning it had,according to the National Weather Service, winds between 166 and 200 mph.
Watch the unbelievable footage of the Oklahoma tornado forming and touching down:
Unfortunately for Moore this isn’t its first encounter with Mother Nature’s unforgiving fury. In 1999 a tornado struck killing six and injuring a dozen in the surrounding area. The wind speed is thought to be the fastest ever recorded at the time, measuring upwards of 300 mph.
CNN notes further that Southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas, including the Dallas Metro region, are still likely to experience more severe weather Tuesday. Those areas could see large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.
Our thoughts and prayers to out to all those affected in the Midwest.
