President Obama Declares Oklahoma Major Disaster Area; 24 Dead, Hundreds Injured
The massive tornado that hit Oklahoma has left dozens dead and hundreds injured and without homes.
President Obama has since declared Oklahoma a major disaster area, which allows those affected to apply for “federal grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs.”
The President delivered a speech this morning, calling the tornado “one of the most destructive storms” in American history.
“In an instant neighborhoods were destroyed, dozens of people lost their lives, many more were injured,” Obama said from the White House State Dining Room. “Among the victims were young children trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew — their school.”
The President added that the town of Moore, Okla., “needs to get everything it needs right away.”
Obama spoke following a meeting with his disaster response team, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and top White House officials. On Monday, he spoke with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Republican Rep. Tom Cole, whose home is in the heavily damaged town of Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City.
The devastation in Oklahoma is truly unfathomable.
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this horrible tragedy.