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NewsTeam Entry #1: Oklahoma Tornado |
Oklahoma TornadoOn May 20th, 2013, a two-mile wide tornado devastated the city of Oklahoma in broad daylight. The tornado was an EF-4 on the fajita scale, with winds reaching up to 200mph (320km/h). Moore, which is south of the city, was hit the hardest. Horrendous winds ripped through schools and whole neighbourhoods were flattened by the tornado, which was on the ground for about 45 minutes. President Obama has declared it a major disaster.51 deaths were reported to the OMCE during the earlier stages of the recovery. 24 have been identified, confirmed dead and have been taken to Oklahoma City Office, where they will be returned to loved ones. Local authorities said there are more bodies which have not been identified. Many more people are missing, and over 120 people are being treated in hospitals. There have been many searchers for the missing and to recover the bodies of those deceased. Rescue efforts were hampered by violent thunderstorms on May 23rd and are soon to be nearing an end, officials say. Also on the 23rd was the first funeral for the victims. Antonia Candelaria, nine, was being laid to rest today. She was killed when the tornado hit her school, killing her along with 5 other classmates. They suffocated after being buried in the debris of bricks, steel and glass after their school, Plaza Towers Elementary School, collapsed. A seventh student was also killed instantly by having an object fall on the back of his neck. More funerals will be soon to follow. The tornado is said to have wrecked more than $2bn in damage. It is estimated that over 13 000 homes were damaged or destroyed by the tornado, who carved a path that was 17 miles long (about 27km) and 1.3 miles wide (about 2km). There is much to be done in the future for Oklahoma. Jerry Lojika, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Emergency services, said that they will continue searching and to be sure "nothing is overlooked." Though the rescue is drawing to an end, the recovery will last much longer. With neighbourhoods and schools to be rebuilt, street signs to be replaced and billions of dollars in damage to be paid for and repaired, it will be a rocky road of recovery for Oklahoma. But those aren't the only scars- the worst may be the emotional. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22619802 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22644981 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22604251 |