In a televised press conference Tuesday morning, President Obama promised full support in the aftermath of the two-mile-wide tornado that demolished the town of Moore, Okla., killing a reported 24 people and injuring some 145 -- including 70 children.
"The people of Moore should know that their country will remain on the ground, there for them, beside them ... as long as it takes," said the president, also proclaiming: "Oklahoma needs to get everything that it needs, right away."
The president said he would ensure "that full resources would be provided" and had spoken to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, counter-terrorism adviser Lisa Monaco and Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore.
Following the storm, which leveled neighborhoods and destroyed two schools, first responders worked to rescue victims from the rubble. Some 100 people were discovered among the debris overnight.
So far, the American Re Cross has opened six shelters in Oklahoma and FEMA is also on the scene.
