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FIVE DAYS AFTER one of the most destructive tornadoes to hit Oklahoma in decades, residents are coming to terms with the devastation.
Twenty four people were killed and more than 300 people were injured by Monday’s freak twister which tore through the US state, levelling entire neighbourhoods. Ten children died, including seven primary school children who were killed when their school was hit.
The tornado, which was two miles in diameter, destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,200 homes with around 33,000 people believed to have been affected in some way.
US President Barack Obama is due to visit the state on Sunday.
These photographs look at just how badly Oklahoma City and the nearby suburb of Moore were affected.
Rescuers dig through the rubble of a collapsed wall at the Plaza Tower Elementary School on Monday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The wreckage of the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki/Pool)
A child calls to his father after being pulled from the rubble of the Tower Plaza Elementary School on Monday (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
A child is pulled from the rubble of the school and passed to rescuers (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Part of a wall remains standing amid the wreckage of the Plaza Towers Elementary School. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Class photos decorate a classroom wall amid the wreckage of the Plaza Towers Elementary SChool. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
A woman carries her child through a field near the collapsed school on Monday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
A woman rushes to get help after finding her grandmother’s cat which had been buried in rubble for two days. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Christine Jones (in red jumper) is comforted by her cousin as she smiles and wipes away tears as she talks about looking for lost wedding rings at her home. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Kandi Scott salvages items from the rubble of her home. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
A lifeless horse lies tangled in power lines in Moore on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Carol Kawaykla salvages items from her home on Thursday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chad Brown, right, helps his father Rick sift through the wreckage of his home on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Lauren Matthews, 7, takes a photo of the rubble of her home. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
A concrete angel rests on a destroyed car. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A resident looks through the rubble of a destroyed home. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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Sometimes we’re guilty of whining and complaining about a bit of rain and generally rubbish weather, when really, we are very lucky to not have extremes of weather like that tornado or hurricanes or such things.
I hope those people in Oklahoma can pick themselves up real soon.
My God. Those poor people.
Fairly gut wrenching to see that 7 year old take a photo of the rubble that used to be her home.
If buildings were dome shaped they are less likely to be damaged by a tornado as they are more aerodynamic. Bulky items can still hit them of course but it would certainly make them safer.
I wonder if they will rebuild their homes to this kind of spec?
All the talk of this and the Boston bombings but nothing of the blast in Turkey.
#americacentric
Don’t read it then ya muppet.
Have you friends and family in Turkey?
Relax baby. Not so meager with the insults are we?
Insults doesn’t cover. A truly ridiculous comment on your behalf.
have your say