Devastation in Oklahoma
A look at some of the damage in the Midwest.
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Tragedy in Oklahoma - Several tornadoes have hit the Midwest in the past week, with the worst ravaging Oklahoma City and surrounding areas on Monday. At least 24 people including 9 children died in the massive tornado in Moore. Officials expect the death toll to rise. (Photo: AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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On Fire - The tornado's path was 17 miles long and 1.3 miles wide, and had winds up to 200 mph. It flattened entire neighborhoods, set buildings on fire and landed a direct blow on an elementary school. (Photo: AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
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Lone Tree - The storm began west of Newcastle and crossed the Canadian River into Oklahoma City's rural far southwestern side about 3 p.m. When it reached Moore, the twister cut a path through the center of town before lifting back into the sky at Lake Stanley Draper, writes the Associated Press. (Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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Danger Scale - Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). The National Weather Service classified the twister that hit Moore as an EF-5, the most powerful type of tornado.In this image, flipped vehicles are piled up outside the heavily damaged Moore Medical Center. (Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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A Helping Hand - Monday's tornado followed the path of a twister that hit the region with 300 mph winds in May 1999. It was the fourth tornado to hit Moore since 1998. (Photo: AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
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Official Disaster Area - President Obama declared the area a major disaster and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18.In this image, searchers rest outside the Briarwood Elementary School after the tornado destroyed the school. (Photo: AP Photo/ The Oklahoman, David McDaniel)
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Watch or Warning? - When in danger of a tornado, the National Weather Service issues a tornado watch or a tornado warning. Under a watch, tornadoes are possible in the reported areas. Under a warning, a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. It is advised to take cover. (Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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Take Cover. Where? - Where is the safest place during a tornado? The American Red Cross says to go immediately under ground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom). The lowest level, without any windows, is the best place to go. The Weather Service offers this video as a guide for where to take cover. (Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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Help Me Find Shelter - Don't have a safe place like a basement to take cover from a tornado? The American Red Cross offers this app to find a shelter near you. (Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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Help in Your Hand - The American Red Cross also has a Tornado App. The app offers step-by-step advice for what to do in the event of a tornado. Want to let your family and friends know you are OK? Use the Red Cross' Safe and Well website here. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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Neighborhoods Flattened - This aerial photo shows the remains of homes in Moore. The tornado flattened entire neighborhoods, set buildings on fire and landed a direct blow on an elementary school. (Photo: AP Photo/Steve Gooch)
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A Cry for Help - A child calls to his father after being pulled from the rubble of the Tower Plaza Elementary School. (Photo: AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
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Pulled From Rubble - A child is pulled from the rubble of the Plaza Towers Elementary School. (AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
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Hug - A teacher hugs a child at Briarwood Elementary school. Officials at two hospitals say they've been treating more than 120 patients, including about 50 children. (Photo: AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Paul Hellstern)
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Debris - A Goodwill donation station is surrounded by debris. The twister stripped leaves off trees and left blocks in Moore, a suburb of 41,000 people and 10 miles south of Oklahoma City, barren and dark. (Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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