Clinging to the hope of finding more survivors, rescue workers
raced overnight scouring mountains of rubble where houses and
schools once stood-- even as the sobering death toll continued to
climb.
The vicious tornado that tore across central Oklahoma on Monday
has killed at least 51 people -- with about 40 more bodies expected
to arrive at the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's office, Amy Elliott of
the coroner's office said. The official death toll will gradually rise as
the bodies are processed.
At least 20 of those killed were children, including seven from
Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore -- the site of a frantic
search early Tuesday morning.
About 75 students and staff members hunkered down in the
school when the tornado hit, CNN affiliate KFOR reported. The
school in the direct path of the monster storm's fury.
A father of a third-grader still missing sat on a stool outside. Tears
cascaded from his face as he waited quietly for any news.
Even parents of survivors couldn't wrap their minds around the
tragedy.
"I'm speechless. How did this happen? Why did this happen?"
Norma Bautista asked. "How do we explain this to the kids? ... In
an instant, everything's gone."
Get the latest developments in the story
Across Moore, even the city's main hospital fell victim to the
tornado.
"Our hospital has been devastated," Mayor Glenn Lewis said. "We
had a two-story hospital, now we have a one. And it's not
occupiable."
www.m.cnn.com/primary/cnnd_fullarticle?articleId=cnn/2013/05/21/us/severe-weather&branding=&pagesize=10&category=cnnd_latest