Oklahoma Tornado Response l Photos

By Steven Hoarn - May 21, 2013

Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen respond to a devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

A two-mile wide tornado devastated a wide swath of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

Oklahoma National Guardsmen fuel vehicles before heading to the tornado ravaged area of Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. The guardsmen are assigned to the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The 700th is currently serving as the Oklahoma National Guard's quick reaction force and was on the seen in Moore within 4 hours of the tornado. U.S. Army photo by Oklahoma National Guard Maj. Geoff Legler

Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen respond to a devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen respond to the tornado that struck Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin deployed 80 Oklahoma National Guard members to the town of Moore in the immediate aftermath of the tornado. On Tuesday, the number of National Guard members assisting in Moore was up to 250. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

A Tinker Fire and Emergency Services crew responds to the May 20, 2013 tornado that struck Moore, Okla. Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were immediately dispatched to assist with rescue activities in the vicinity of 19th street and Interstate 35 in Moore, and one surgeon was dispatched to OU Medical Center. More help has been provided overnight with lights, vehicles, water trucks and volunteer airmen are preparing to assist with crowd control and recovery efforts. Photo courtesy of Tinker Fire and Emergency Services

Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen along with firefighters and other first responders respond to the Moore, Okla., tornado, May 20, 2013. The tornado devastated the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, where many of the casualties were children. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

Two firefighters break through concrete during the search for survivors in the remains of the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. The school was hit by a tornado on May 20, 2013. Maj. Geoff Legler, Oklahoma National Guard Public Affairs

An Oklahoma National Guard soldier secures the perimeter of a destroyed home in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin ordered the Oklahoma National Guard to secure a perimeter around the devastated areas and assist search and rescue workers. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James

A rescue worker and his search dog sit outside the remains of the Plaza Towers Elementary School that was devastated by a tornado that killed dozens of people in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Oklahoma National Guard Maj. Geoff Legle

A flyover of the extensive tornado damage from the May 20, 2013 tornado in Moore, Okla. DoD photo by Maj. Geoff Legler, Oklahoma National Guard Public Affairs

A military member cuts trees that were brought down on homes after a tornado hit the town of Moore, Okla. May 20, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Jon Quinlan

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team prepare to start search and rescue operations in response to the May 20, 2013, EF-5 tornado that ripped through the center of Moore, Okla. Oklahoma National Guard photo

A man wanders slowly through the complete devastation of what remains of his home. Nothing remains of this home other than the foundation. Only small amounts of salvageable items found after the massive tornado ripped through Moore Okla. were put into a small pile. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mark Hybers

Members of the 63rd Civil Support Team, Oklahoma National Guard monitor the local weather in the CST's Command Module during search and rescue operations in Moore, Okla., in response to the May 20, 2013, EF-5 tornado that ripped through the center of town. Oklahoma National Guard photo

The Moore Medical Center Norman Regional Hospital in Moore Okla., was ripped apart by the massive tornado, May 20, 2013. The hospital was directly in the path of the 1.3-mile wide tornado that hit Moore in the late afternoon. There were no casualties reported. Cars flipped over and piled on top of one another along with cars that were cleared away by first responders fill the parking lot. The orange X spray painted on the cars indicates that the vehicle was checked and cleared of any victims. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mark Hybers

A member of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team conducts search and rescue operations in response to the May 20, 2013, EF-5 tornado that ripped through the center of Moore, Okla. Oklahoma National Guard photo

Members of the 63rd Civil Support Team, Oklahoma National Guard conduct search and rescue operations in Moore, Okla., in response to the May 20, 2013, EF-4 tornado that ripped through the center of town. Oklahoma National Guard photo

U.S. soldiers with the Oklahoma Army National Guard sleep in their armory while waiting for their next shift of guard duty at Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013. The soldiers were the first to provide assistance to local first responders after a massive tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. The soldiers provided assistance to local law enforcement and first responders by securing the area and allowing residents to return to inspect their homes and collect personal belongings as well as assisting search and rescue efforts. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones

The tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., yesterday has prompted the deployment of 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard and other responders to the affected area. The National Guard members are assisting with search and rescue efforts as well as security. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin activated the soldiers and airmen of the National Guard yesterday as the extent of the damage was just becoming known.

The tornado was a two-mile wide twister that contained winds of up to 200 mph, and caused heavy damage to Moore. One of the more emotional scenes has been at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which suffered a direct hit that tore off the roof and collapsed walls. Volunteers joined with first responders and Guard members to search for survivors at the school. The death toll, which was reported as high as 51 in the immediate aftermath, has been revised downward to at least 24, with authorities cautioning that it could rise again. At least 120 people have been injured, with many missing.