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| Huge Tornado Cuts Ruinous Path for Miles in Oklahoma | Huge Tornado Cuts Ruinous Path for Miles in Oklahoma |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MOORE, Okla. — Homes were flattened, cars were flung through the air and at least two schools packed with children were destroyed as a huge tornado, perhaps a mile wide, tore through towns near Oklahoma City on Monday, killing at least 37 people and sending rescuers and residents dashing to dig out survivors buried in rubble. | |
| As the injured began flooding into local hospitals, the authorities said many remained trapped, even as rescue workers struggled to make their way through debris-clogged streets to the devastated suburb of Moore, where much of the damage occurred. | |
| Amy Elliott, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner, said that at least 37 people had died, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. | |
| At Briarwood Elementary school in Oklahoma City on the border with Moore, cars were thrown through the façade and the roof was torn off. A short distance away, at Plaza Towers Elementary school here rescue workers struggled to tear through rubble amid reports the dozens students remained trapped. | |
| While there was no official confirmation of fatalities, local media citing witnesses said rescue workers had begun to pull bodies from the rubble at various locations. | |
| “Numerous neighborhoods completely leveled,” Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department said by telephone. “Neighborhoods just wiped clean.” | |
| Sergeant Knight said debris and damage to roadways along with heavy traffic were was hindering emergency responders, who continue to race to the affected areas. | |
| A spokeswoman from the mayor’s office in Moore said that there was no information on casualties, and that emergency workers were struggling to assess the damage. | |
| “Please send us your prayers,” she said. | “Please send us your prayers,” she said. |
| Brooke Cayot, a spokeswoman for the Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, said that as of 5:48 Central Time the hospital had received 33 patients. Of those 10 were listed in critical condition, 10 in serious and 12 in fair or good. . Many more patients were expected. | Brooke Cayot, a spokeswoman for the Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, said that as of 5:48 Central Time the hospital had received 33 patients. Of those 10 were listed in critical condition, 10 in serious and 12 in fair or good. . Many more patients were expected. |
| “They’ve been coming in minute by minute,” Ms. Cayot said. | “They’ve been coming in minute by minute,” Ms. Cayot said. |
| Emily Kezbers, a spokeswoman for Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, said three patients injuries during the tornado were on their way to the hospital. | Emily Kezbers, a spokeswoman for Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, said three patients injuries during the tornado were on their way to the hospital. |
| Keli Pirtle, a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., said the tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. Central Time and traveled for 20 miles. It was on the ground for 40 minutes, she said. It struck the town of Newcastle and traveled about 10 miles to Moore, a heavily populated suburb of Oklahoma City | Keli Pirtle, a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., said the tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. Central Time and traveled for 20 miles. It was on the ground for 40 minutes, she said. It struck the town of Newcastle and traveled about 10 miles to Moore, a heavily populated suburb of Oklahoma City |
| Ms. Pirtle said preliminary data suggested that it was category 4 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength on a scale of 0 to 5. A definitive assessment will not be available until Tuesday, she said. | Ms. Pirtle said preliminary data suggested that it was category 4 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength on a scale of 0 to 5. A definitive assessment will not be available until Tuesday, she said. |
| Moore was the scene of another huge tornado, in May 1999, in which winds reached record speeds of 302 m.p.h. | Moore was the scene of another huge tornado, in May 1999, in which winds reached record speeds of 302 m.p.h. |
| Television on Monday showed destruction spread over a vast area, with blocks upon blocks of homes and businesses destroyed. Residents, some partly clothed and apparently caught by surprise, were shown picking through rubble. Several structures were on fire. At least one school was reported hit. | Television on Monday showed destruction spread over a vast area, with blocks upon blocks of homes and businesses destroyed. Residents, some partly clothed and apparently caught by surprise, were shown picking through rubble. Several structures were on fire. At least one school was reported hit. |
| The storm system continued to churn through the region on Monday afternoon, and forecasters warned that new tornadoes could form. | The storm system continued to churn through the region on Monday afternoon, and forecasters warned that new tornadoes could form. |
| An earlier storm system also spawned several tornadoes across Oklahoma on Sunday. Several deaths were reported. | An earlier storm system also spawned several tornadoes across Oklahoma on Sunday. Several deaths were reported. |