Devastating tornadoes have touched down in Oklahoma and other parts of the US. News reports show damage and loss of life. From the Washington Post:
A large, violent tornado carved a long, destructive path on the south side of Oklahoma City. Doppler radar estimates suggested that twister had the potential to produce wind gusts of 200 mph, the equivalent of an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The storm reportedly killed at least 51 people and caused extensive damage in Moore, Oklahoma, which is just south of Oklahoma City.
The New York Times:
The injured flooded into hospitals, and the authorities said many people 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 at least 51 people had died, including the children, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. Local hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children.
Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore was reduced to a pile of twisted metal and toppled walls. Rescue workers were able to pull several children from the rubble, but on Monday evening crews were still struggling to cut through fallen beams and clear debris amid reports that dozens of students were trapped. At Briarwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City, on the border with Moore, cars were thrown through the facade and the roof was torn off.
The Diocese of Oklahoma has posted this information and asks for support and prayers:
Thank you to all who have reached out to us in response to the devastating tornados in Oklahoma. We are in the process of assessing the situation and coordinating assistance to our communities.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to help in those efforts, please make your check payable to “The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma.” In the notation line write “Tornado relief.”
Send checks to:
Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
924 N. Robinson
OKC, OK 73102
Episcopal Relief and Development donation site here.