At least 20 children are among the 51 people killed after a tornado slammed Oklahoma

[Douglas Carpenter]

By TIM TALLEY

The Associated Press

MOORE, Okla. —

A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise. Monday night, the state medical examiner's office said at least 20 of those who died were children.

More than 120 people were being treated at hospitals, including about 50 children. And search-and-rescue efforts were to continue throughout the night.

Tiffany Thronesberry said she heard from her mother, Barbara Jarrell, shortly after the tornado.

"I got a phone call from her screaming, 'Help! Help! I can't breathe. My house is on top of me!'" Thronesberry said.

Thronesberry hurried to her mother's house, where first responders had already pulled her out. Her mother was hospitalized for treatment of cuts and bruises.

Rescuers launched a desperate rescue effort at the school, pulling children from heaps of debris and carrying them to a triage center.

http://www.ajc.com/news/ap/indiana/tornadoes-slam-plains-midwest-1-dead-in-okla/nXw3f/

[Skittles]

1. unbearable

[sabrina 1]

2. Heart-breaking. I just heard that number on the news, and there are so many still missing.

I can't imagine the horror for those left behind, or those who have not yet found their loved ones.

[DCKit]

3. They got hit not so long ago, yet they built their new school...

without a tornado shelter.

Teabaggers/Libertarians. Dumbasses.

The children didn't deserve to die in terror, but their parents, grandparents and their elected officials set them up for this.

[Tx4obama]

4. CNN: 51 confirmed deaths, 40 more bodies recovered = 91