A massive tornado swept through Oklahoma City with winds of up to 200 miles per hour devastated which flattened the suburb of Moore on Monday, tearing at least two elementary schools, a hospital and homes.
According to a CNN report, at least 10 people were killed during the Oklahoma tornadoes and the victims' bodies were being sent to Oklahoma's office of the chief medical examiner.
Police in Moore reported "major damage," including an elementary school that took a direct hit and fires burning out of control. Several children were found alive amidst the rubble of Plaza Towers Elementary School, according to KFOR-TV. There were no immediate reports on the condition of the children. There were at least 75 students and staff at the school when the storm hit, KFOR according to the report.
"Our worst fears are becoming realized this afternoon," Bill Bunting, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, told CNN soon after the tornado struck.
"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," he said.
The preliminary rating of the tornado that hit Moore about 3 p.m. CT is at least an EF-4, which means wind speeds of from 166 to 200 mph, the National Weather Service said.
Power was knocked out to more than 26,000 customers. Meanwhile, five separate tornado warnings -- meaning twisters may be imminent -- remained in effect in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.
Watch live video coverage of the Oklahoma tornadoes:
