This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22611019

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Oklahoma tornado: Search for survivors continues Oklahoma tornado: Search for survivors continues
(36 minutes later)
Emergency workers in the US are continuing to search for survivors of the massive tornado that tore through a suburb of Oklahoma City on Monday. Emergency workers in the US are continuing to search for survivors of the gigantic tornado that tore through a suburb of Oklahoma City on Monday.
Rescuers worked through the night in the rubble of homes, schools and a hospital in Moore, the worst-hit area.Rescuers worked through the night in the rubble of homes, schools and a hospital in Moore, the worst-hit area.
Neighbourhoods were flattened by winds of up to 200mph (320km/h).Neighbourhoods were flattened by winds of up to 200mph (320km/h).
At least 24 people were confirmed dead, Oklahoma City's medical examiner said. Earlier, the official death toll was put at 51 with another 40 bodies found.At least 24 people were confirmed dead, Oklahoma City's medical examiner said. Earlier, the official death toll was put at 51 with another 40 bodies found.
"We have got good news. The number right now is 24," Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer at the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told reporters."We have got good news. The number right now is 24," Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer at the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told reporters.
"The prior figure of 51 dead may have included some double-reported casualties.""The prior figure of 51 dead may have included some double-reported casualties."
Earlier, the chief medical examiner's office said at least 20 children were among the dead. It is not clear if this figure will be revised.Earlier, the chief medical examiner's office said at least 20 children were among the dead. It is not clear if this figure will be revised.
Emergency services are looking for residents trapped in shelters, cellars and the rubble, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Moore.Emergency services are looking for residents trapped in shelters, cellars and the rubble, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Moore.
Betsy Randolph of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told the BBC the long night's search for bodies was punctuated by flashes of good news.
"I was hearing just a few moments ago we believe about 101 people were found alive in cellars and different places throughout the city," she said.
"As far as we're concerned, if one person is unaccounted for, we're going to stay and we're going to search until we find that one person."
Heavy-lifting equipment was deployed under bright floodlights as the operation went on through the night and continued as dawn broke.Heavy-lifting equipment was deployed under bright floodlights as the operation went on through the night and continued as dawn broke.
More than 200 Oklahoma National Guardsmen as well as personnel from other states were called in to help in the search-and-rescue effort.More than 200 Oklahoma National Guardsmen as well as personnel from other states were called in to help in the search-and-rescue effort.
In the background, huge lightning strikes - every 20 to 30 seconds - could be seen as the weather remained unsettled.In the background, huge lightning strikes - every 20 to 30 seconds - could be seen as the weather remained unsettled.
President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma and ordered federal authorities to join in the search efforts.President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma and ordered federal authorities to join in the search efforts.
Monday's storm hit Moore, a suburb of about 55,000 people, at 15:01 (20:01 GMT) and remained on the ground for about 45 minutes.Monday's storm hit Moore, a suburb of about 55,000 people, at 15:01 (20:01 GMT) and remained on the ground for about 45 minutes.
About 120 people are being treated in hospitals, but the number of people injured is reported to be higher.About 120 people are being treated in hospitals, but the number of people injured is reported to be higher.
Much of the rescue effort was concentrated on what remains of Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit.Much of the rescue effort was concentrated on what remains of Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit.
Dozens of firefighters could be seen at the building, where the roof and walls had been knocked down.Dozens of firefighters could be seen at the building, where the roof and walls had been knocked down.
"The school was flattened. The walls were pancaked in," Oklahoma's Lt Gov Todd Lamb told the BBC."The school was flattened. The walls were pancaked in," Oklahoma's Lt Gov Todd Lamb told the BBC.
"There's still roughly two dozen children that are missing. There have been some bodies recovered from that school and it's absolutely horrific and devastating.""There's still roughly two dozen children that are missing. There have been some bodies recovered from that school and it's absolutely horrific and devastating."
Another school - Briarwood Elementary - was also damaged, and teachers were later seen leading pupils out to safety.Another school - Briarwood Elementary - was also damaged, and teachers were later seen leading pupils out to safety.
Lt Gov Lamb said Moore had been prepared for a tornado, but not of this strength: "There was a warning in place, but when it veers and is as extensive as this one is - two miles wide, on the ground for 45 minutes - that is just wreaking havoc that it's hard to get out of the way of."Lt Gov Lamb said Moore had been prepared for a tornado, but not of this strength: "There was a warning in place, but when it veers and is as extensive as this one is - two miles wide, on the ground for 45 minutes - that is just wreaking havoc that it's hard to get out of the way of."
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said it was a tragic day.
The storm left a tangle of ruined buildings, piles of broken wood, overturned and crushed cars and fires in some places.The storm left a tangle of ruined buildings, piles of broken wood, overturned and crushed cars and fires in some places.
Many houses in the area are built on hard ground without basements, so many residents struggled to find shelter.Many houses in the area are built on hard ground without basements, so many residents struggled to find shelter.
"We locked the cellar door once we saw it coming, it got louder and next thing you know is you see the latch coming undone," survivor Ricky Stover said."We locked the cellar door once we saw it coming, it got louder and next thing you know is you see the latch coming undone," survivor Ricky Stover said.
"We couldn't reach for it and it ripped open the door and just glass and debris started slamming on us and we thought we were dead.""We couldn't reach for it and it ripped open the door and just glass and debris started slamming on us and we thought we were dead."
Melissa Newton, another survivor, said: "There's shingles and pieces of sheet rock and wood in our yard and all across our neighbourhood. Some homes are completely gone. It's devastating."
James Rushing said he had hurried to Plaza Towers Elementary School, where his foster son is a pupil, in time to see it destroyed by the storm.
"About two minutes after I got there, the school started coming apart," he told the Associated Press news agency.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said Monday's tornado had generated winds of up to 200mph.The National Weather Service (NWS) said Monday's tornado had generated winds of up to 200mph.
"It's certainly the most powerful tornado that I've ever dealt with in my 20 years with the weather service," NWS meteorologist Rick Smith in Norman, Oklahoma, told the BBC. They said the tornado measured EF-4 on the five-point Fujita scale - the second most powerful type.
The NWS said the tornado measured EF-4 on the five-point Fujita scale - the second most powerful type.
Tornadoes, hail and high winds also hit Iowa and Kansas, part of a storm system stretching from Texas to Minnesota.Tornadoes, hail and high winds also hit Iowa and Kansas, part of a storm system stretching from Texas to Minnesota.
On Sunday, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee, Oklahoma.On Sunday, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma's state medical examiner confirmed earlier on Monday that two people had been killed in the area.Oklahoma's state medical examiner confirmed earlier on Monday that two people had been killed in the area.
The town of Moore was hit by a severe tornado in May 1999, which had the highest winds ever recorded on Earth.The town of Moore was hit by a severe tornado in May 1999, which had the highest winds ever recorded on Earth.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions