The first pictures to hit news reports after the terrible tornado in Moore, Oklahoma were very frightening, as they portrayed the aftermath of what was a very strong and terrible storm, originally rated at 4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Not only were homes and buildings destroyed, the destruction was such that structures were not recognizable. Debris from structures merged with other debris so that whole city blocks were not discernible, and streets were obscured from view. The damage was so severe that, indeed, it appeared to first responders that the death toll would be unimaginable. First counts in fact indicated 51 people were found dead in the initial search. Seven of these were children killed at an elementary school that was struck dead on by the storm.
By the next day, the initial death toll had been lowered to 24, as some of the fatalities had been counted twice. Unfortunately, officials believe the count will again rise as the search for victims and survivors continues. But even in the midst of this tragedy, survivors were found among the ruins. Officials were optimistic that more victims would be found alive as more searchers and equipment poured in from the surrounding area.
All across the nation people took time off from their busy lives to pray for their neighbors in Oklahoma. I am sure similar observances were held around the world. With wave after wave of tragedy over the past few weeks, the American people have come to realize that their neighbors live across the country as well as across the street. It is deeply moving to me to see this national sympathy and empathy, and the support from around the world, during these tragic times.
And now I read that meteorologists have reviewed the damage and upgraded the Moore Tornado to an EF 5, meaning it ranks as one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded since the introduction of the Fujita storm rating scale. The winds of the Moore storm were calculated to have raged at over 200 miles per hour. Officials in Moore expect the death toll to rise, but are optimistic that fatalities will still remain below the original count of 51.
I join the millions of other people across the nation and around the world in pausing from all the hustle and bustle of of our lives to remember these people, our neighbors, in their tragedy and in the beginning of their recovery. No doubt there will be many channels of relief, and many ways for us to demonstrate our care in action as well as in our thoughts. And I know I share with many of you in holding the people of Moore in my thoughts and my deepest sympathy.
May God bless the people of Moore, Oklahoma and comfort them in their loss, as well as hold them in his arms as they put their lives back together, one day, one hour, one minute, at a time.
By the next day, the initial death toll had been lowered to 24, as some of the fatalities had been counted twice. Unfortunately, officials believe the count will again rise as the search for victims and survivors continues. But even in the midst of this tragedy, survivors were found among the ruins. Officials were optimistic that more victims would be found alive as more searchers and equipment poured in from the surrounding area.
All across the nation people took time off from their busy lives to pray for their neighbors in Oklahoma. I am sure similar observances were held around the world. With wave after wave of tragedy over the past few weeks, the American people have come to realize that their neighbors live across the country as well as across the street. It is deeply moving to me to see this national sympathy and empathy, and the support from around the world, during these tragic times.
And now I read that meteorologists have reviewed the damage and upgraded the Moore Tornado to an EF 5, meaning it ranks as one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded since the introduction of the Fujita storm rating scale. The winds of the Moore storm were calculated to have raged at over 200 miles per hour. Officials in Moore expect the death toll to rise, but are optimistic that fatalities will still remain below the original count of 51.
I join the millions of other people across the nation and around the world in pausing from all the hustle and bustle of of our lives to remember these people, our neighbors, in their tragedy and in the beginning of their recovery. No doubt there will be many channels of relief, and many ways for us to demonstrate our care in action as well as in our thoughts. And I know I share with many of you in holding the people of Moore in my thoughts and my deepest sympathy.
May God bless the people of Moore, Oklahoma and comfort them in their loss, as well as hold them in his arms as they put their lives back together, one day, one hour, one minute, at a time.
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