Search for survivors after deadly Oklahoma tornado
Obama praises rescuers and pledges all necessary help for community
PRESIDENT Barack Obama has spoken of his gratitude to rescuers who helped some of the thousands of people caught up in the deadly storm he described as “one of the most destructive tornadoes in history”.
He was speaking as the death toll was revised to 24, including seven children, after the huge tornado ripped through the suburb of Moore in Oklahoma City in the US Midwest, destroying scores of homes and a primary school.
Speaking at the White House, President Obama said: “In an instant neighbourhoods were destroyed, dozens of people lost their lives, many more were injured and among the victims were young children trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew – their school.
“Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today. Our gratitude is with the teachers who gave their all to shield the children, with the neighbours, the first responders and emergency personnel who raced to help as soon as the tornado passed, and with all of those who, as darkness fell, searched for survivors through the night.”
His words followed those of the Queen, who earlier said she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and devastation caused by the tornado.
President Obama added: “As a nation our full focus right now is on the urgent work of rescue and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead.
“The people of Moore should know their country will remain on the ground, there for them, beside them, for as long as it takes for their homes and schools to rebuild, businesses and hospitals to reopen, parents to console, first responders to comfort and of course frightened children who will need our continued love and attention.”
The death toll from the disaster was initially thought to be as many as 90 but the state medical examiner’s office revised this as it was thought some victims were counted twice in the early chaos of the storm.
Rescue teams are continuing to search the wrecked buildings after the deadly tornado hit on Monday afternoon.
In her message of condolence to President Obama, the Queen said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of life and devastation caused by yesterday’s tornado in Oklahoma. Our deepest sympathies go out to all those whose lives have been affected, as well as the American people.”
The two-mile wide tornado tore through Moore on Monday afternoon.
Seven children died at Plaza Towers Elementary School which took a direct hit, but many more survived unhurt.
Oklahoma State Police Sergeant Jeremy Lewis said: “They literally were lifting walls up and kids were coming out. They pulled kids out from under cinder blocks without a scratch on them.”
Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore, said the whole town looked like a debris field and there was a danger of electrocution and fire from power lines brought down and broken gas pipes.
He said: “It looks like we have lost our hospital. I drove by there a while ago and it’s pretty much destroyed.”
Speaking outside Norman Regional Hospital, Ninia Lay, 48, said she huddled in a closet through two storm alerts and the tornado hit on the third.
“I was hiding in the closet and I heard something like a train coming,” she said under skies still flashing with lightning. The house was flattened and Mrs Lay was buried in the rubble for two hours until her husband Kevin, 50, and rescuers dug her out.
Mrs Lay said: “I thank God for my cell phone – I called me husband for help.”
David O’Neill is a station manager with London’s Fire Brigade and a team leader with the International Search and Rescue team (ISAR). He said it was likely more survivors would be pulled from the wreckage.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Oklahoma, the families and friends of those who’ve lost loved ones, and the firefighters and rescue teams involved.
“Given the time of day and that most people would have been awake, together with the fact most of the buildings are low rise, I would hope more survivors will be rescued from the wreckage.”