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The scene at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla., which was destroyed by Monday’s tornado. Seven children died there.
Tannen Maury /EPA /LANDOV
The scene at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla., which was destroyed by Monday’s tornado. Seven children died there.
Tannen Maury /EPA /LANDOV
Funerals begin Thursday for the 24 people known to have been killed by the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday.
NBC News says that 9-year-old Antonia Candelaria, one of the 7 children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School, is due to be remembered at a local church. Her obituary says that “Tonie” and her best friend Emily Conatzer “were inseparable, even in their last moments, they held on to one another and followed each other into Heaven and they will never be alone.”
In other news from Moore:
— Officials now estimate that up to 13,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and that the total about of damage done could exceed $2 billion.
— The number of injured is thought to have exceeded 300.
— “While anguish over the deaths was palpable as residents began picking up their shattered neighborhoods,” The Associated Press writes, “many remained stunned that the twister didn’t take a higher human toll during its 40 minutes on the ground.”
— The names of all 24 victims have been released.
Some of NPR’s related coverage:
— Teachers In Moore Gather For ‘Sharing And Healing’.
— Photos: Recovery Begins In Tornado-Hit Area.
— Oklahoma Officials Toss Around Storm Shelter Issue After Twister.
— Oklahoma Tornado: Finding Aid, Giving Aid.
Article source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186207081/funerals-begin-in-tornado-ravaged-moore-okla?ft=1&f=1001