OKLAHOMA – DRAMATIC ACT OF NATURE
About 2,400 homes were damaged in the Oklahoma cities of Moore and Oklahoma City. Some 10,000 people were directly impacted by the nearly 1.3-mile wide tornado, leveling homes and leaving a high number dead, many children. Governor Mary Fallin said the tornado was “one of the most horrific storms and disasters that this state has ever faced.” Oklahoma “will get through this and overcome. We will rebuild. We will regain our strength,” she said.
The preliminary rating of damage created by the tornado is at least EF4 (winds 166 – 200 mph) – the second most severe classification on a scale from zero to five – according to the National Weather Service. Approximately 34,000 residents of the Oklahoma City area remain without power after the powerful storm. The President signed a disaster declaration Monday night indicating federal emergency aid will supplement local recovery efforts.
Monday’s tornado, which traveled 17 miles, loosely followed the devastating path of the May 1999 tornado that brought winds of 300 mph to the same community. The suburb of Moore is one of the fastest growing suburbs of Oklahoma City and has been hit by four sizable twisters since 1998. Emergency crews are having trouble navigating devastated neighborhoods because there are no street signs left. Rescuers are using GPS devices to guide them through areas with no recognizable landmarks.
World leaders, including those in Spain, France, Germany, Pakistan, and Great Britain passed along their condolences. Pope Francis urged people to pray for families of those who have died “especially those who lost young children.”
The devastation is heart wrenching! You may donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund here. Fundraising efforts were buoyed Tuesday by a $1 million pledge from Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, via his family foundation. If you want to send a $10 donation to Disaster Relief fund via text message you can do so by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. The donation will show up on your wireless bill. You must be 18 years of age or older, to donate this way.
Our thoughts and concerns go to everyone in Oklahoma following this devastating tornado.
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