That nation has once again been faced with devastation after a two-mile wide tornado tore through Shawnee, Oklahoma leveling homes, destroying cars and destroying one elementary school with children and teachers still inside.
According to CNN, the destroyed elementary school was located in Moore, OK. Currently rescuers are working desperately to work through the destruction to find the children and their teachers. 75 children are said to have been in the school at the time.
USA Today reports that several children have already been removed from the rubble.
Bill Bunting of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center tells CNN, “Our worst fears are becoming realized this afternoon. We certainly hope everyone heeded the warnings, but it's a populated area and we just fear that not everyone may have gotten the word.”
The tornado is currently being classified as an EF4- 166-200mph, which is noted as one of the most severe tornado classifications.
USA Today reports that a tornado warning went off 16 minutes before the storm touched down. Following the high speed winds, rain and hail the size of baseballs were spotted.
Keli Cain, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said, “Right now we really don't have a good idea of the damage. We're seeing a lot of footage on TV of widespread damage in Moore, Okla., but it's certainly too early to have any idea of the number of homes destroyed.... We know there are homes destroyed, businesses destroyed. ... It's very early."
NBC News reports that at least 10 people have died and dozens are hospitalized.
More updates are expected to come as the night progresses.
UPDATE 7:46 PM Rescue attempts for at about 24 children at Moore Elementary School have stopped; recovery processes have begun.