Death Toll Will Surpass 91 in Oklahoma Tornado

Devastating footage has been captured of the historic tornado that flattened much of the city of Moore, Oklahoma. As viewers across the country turned off news coverage last night and set in for bed, the death toll looked like it would end at 51. However, just minutes before midnight, information from the state medical examiner’s office leaked out to members of the press that another 40 were confirmed dead, bringing the total to 91. Tragically, at least half of those are children according to CNN.

The New York Times reports:

Amy Elliott, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City medical examiner, said at least 91 people had died, including the children, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. Hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children.

USA Today reports, “[m]ore than 120 people were being treated at hospitals, including about 50 children.”

It is a number that is sure to rise as emergency workers and first-responders survey the damage.

It’s important to remember that first reports are often incorrect, but the numbers do seem to be accurate in this disaster. One hospital services Moore, where most victims are being tended to, and information is largely centralized in this tragedy.

A press conference is scheduled for 8:00 AM eastern.

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