Oklahoma tornado: rescuers ‘sure’ no one left to find
Rescue workers looking for people trapped in the rubble left after a tornado crashed through Oklahoma say they are 98 per cent sure there are no more bodies or survivors to find.
After nearly 24 hours of searching through the debris left by the storm, which destroyed buildings including two schools and a medical centre, the fire chief of Oklahoma suburb Moore, Gary Bird, said: “I’m 98 per cent sure we’re good.”
No additional survivors or bodies have been found since Monday night, Mr Bird said.
More stories on the Oklahoma tornado disaster
The death toll was revised downwards from 51 on Tuesday after the state medical examiner said some victims were counted twice in the confusion. More than 200 people have been treated for injuries.
Nine of the dead were children, seven of whom died at the Plaza Towers primary school, where rescuers have been conducting a brick-by-brick search for survivors.
Authorities said they were so focused on rescue efforts that they had not been able to establish the full scope of the tornado’s damage.
Efforts have been hampered by workers having trouble navigating streets, because street signs and landmarks have been desroyed. Some rescuers used smart phones and GPS to locate themselves.
Witnesses, survivors and the damage: Oklahoma tornado Youtube playlist
Survivors told terrifying tales of how they protected themselves and shielded loved ones from the 200mph winds.
Chelsie McCumber grabbed her two-year-old son and hid in their home’s closet, wrapped in jackets and blankets.
We will rebuild, and we will regain our strength. Mary Fallin, Oklahoma governor
“I told him we’re going to play tent in the closet,” she said on Tuesday.. “I just felt air so I knew the roof was gone.”
Scientists have concluded the storm was a rare and extraordinarily powerful type known as an EF5. EF5 tornados are capable of lifting reinforced buildings off the ground, hurling cars like missiles and stripping trees completely free of bark.
USA’s National Weather Service said the tornado, which was on the ground for 40 minutes, was revised up to the EF5 level based on reports of a damage assessment team. A spokeswoman said it was at least half a mile wide with winds up to 200mph.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin lamented the loss of life, especially the nine children killed, but celebrated the town’s resilience. “We will rebuild, and we will regain our strength,” she said.