MOORE, Okla. (AP) — Emergency crews combed the sticks and rubble remains of an Oklahoma City suburb Tuesday morning less than a day after a massive tornado slammed through the community, flattening homes and demolishing an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least seven children, and those numbers were expected to climb.
As the sun rose over the shattered community of Moore, the state medical examiner's office cut the estimated death toll by more than half.
Spokeswoman Amy Elliot said she believes some victims were counted twice in the early chaos of the storm that struck Monday afternoon. Downed communication lines and problems sharing information with officers exacerbated the problem, she said.
"It was a very eventful night," Elliot said. "I truly expect that they'll find more today."
Authorities initially said as many as 51 people were dead, including 20 children.
New search-and-rescue teams moved in as dawn broke Tuesday, taking over from the 200 or so emergency responders who scoured the neighborhood all night with a helicopter shining a spotlight from above to aid their search.