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In a televised press conference Tuesday morning, President Obama promised full support in the aftermath of the two-mile-wide tornado that demolished the town of Moore, Okla., killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 140 — including 70 children.
“The people of Moore should know that their country will remain on the ground, there for them, beside them, as long as it takes,” said the president, declaring the storm a major disaster. “Oklahoma needs to get everything that it needs, right away,” he proclaimed.
STORY: Oklahoma Tornado: Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres Address Tragedy on Twitter
The president said he would ensure “that full resources would be provided” and had spoken to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, counter-terrorism adviser Lisa Monaco and Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore.
Following Monday’s tornado, which leveled neighborhoods and destroyed two schools, first responders worked to rescue victims from the rubble. Some 101 people were discovered within the debris overnight.
So far, the American Red Cross has opened six shelters in Oklahoma and FEMA is also on the scene. More than 200 members of the National Guard were dispatched to the area.
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