Oklahoma Tornado: Survivor Search Almost Over

President Barack Obama says Americans will support victims of the Oklahoma tornado by "opening our homes and hearts to those in need".

Rescue teams spent the day desperately searching for survivors of the twister, described by Mick Cornett, the Mayor of Oklahoma City, as "the storm of storms".

At least 24 people are known to have died when the tornado , classified as a top-of-the-scale category EF-5, tore a 17-mile path of destruction through the state.

Victims included nine children, some of whom were killed as they sheltered in a school .

Every damaged home has now been searched at least once, with fire chief Gary Bird "98% sure" there are no more survivors or bodies to recover from beneath the rubble.

"Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma," Mr Obama said in a televised address, in which he promised emergency crews would have "all the resources they need at their disposal".

He added: "Our gratitude is with the teachers who gave their all to shield those children, to the neighbours and first responders who raced to help as soon as the tornado passed and to all those who searched as darkness fell."

Meanwhile, it emerged that in Moore - one of the areas worst hit by the tornado - plans for a safe room to protect residents from severe weather had been put on hold.

In February, authorities said they were struggling to secure funds for the shelters and described requirements set out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a "constantly moving target".

As the tornado struck neighbourhoods in and around Moore, ferocious winds of at least 200mph flattened entire streets, rendering thousands of people homeless in just 45 minutes.

Meteorologists said the amount of energy released during the storm dwarfed the power of the Hiroshima bomb, with some estimates suggesting it was 600 times more powerful.

The death toll, originally put at 51, was later revised to 24 when officials admitted some of the casualties may have been double-counted.

Among the victims were seven children who died in a pool of water at Plaza Towers Elementary School when the tornado tore off the roof of the building and knocked down walls.

Mr Obama said: "The people of Moore should know their country will remain beside them for as long as it takes.

"There will be homes and schools to be rebuilt, businesses and hospitals to reopen, parents to console and first responders to comfort. They will need our continued love and attention.

"In time, we will need to fill the empty spaces with love and laughter."

Terri Watkins of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said at least 100 people have been pulled alive from heaps of rubble and twisted metal.

FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said it was "difficult to get a handle on exactly how many people may still be missing".

"We've seen the resilience, courage and strength of our people," added Governor Mary Fallin. "We will rebuild and we will regain our strength."

As the clean up operation began, forecasters warned of more severe weather to come.

Weather Channel meteorologist Kevin Roth said areas east and south of Oklahoma City were most at risk, with other parts of 'tornado alley' also threatened.

"Tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible throughout the threat area," he said.

Meanwhile, the heartwarming moment a survivor was reunited with her lost dog was captured during a live TV interview.

Barbara Garcia was reliving the terror she felt as the twister obliterated her home, when her dog crawled out from beneath the rubble.

Other victims of the storm have been reunited with their pets and treasured keepsakes after photographs were uploaded to 'lost and found' groups on Facebook.

Some items were found scattered in fields up to 120 miles from Moore.