While his host state is in a time of need, Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant has stepped up his efforts to come through in the clutch for Oklahoma City as he reportedly has given $1 million donation to the Oklahoma tornado disaster relief fund, according to the Red Cross.
On Monday, Durant tweeted, "Praying for the victims of the Tornadoes in OKC these last few days..Everybody stay safe!"
The tornado tore through a 17 mile path through Oklahoma City, the National Weather service said.
According to CNN, at least 237 people were injured during the tornado's rampage and at least 24 people have been confirmed to have been killed as a result. The original death toll was reported to have been 51, but upon further investigation the number was brought down to 24. Out of the 24 innocent killed, nine of the fatalities have been confirmed to have been children.
Personnel at the scene have managed to rescue 101 people from the rubble in the metropolitan area of Oklahoma City.
"Oklahoma needs to get everything it needs right away" to recover from the powerful tornado, President Barack Obama said Tuesday.
Obama signed a disaster declaration for Oklahoma on Monday night, a White House statement said. The declaration means federal emergency aid will supplement local recovery efforts.
More than 40,000 people remain without power Tuesday as a result of the Tornado, a utility spokesman said. More than half of those people were in the heavily damaged suburb of Moore, according to Brian Alford, spokesman for Oklahoma Gas & Electric.
World leaders, including those in France, Germany, Pakistan and Spain, passed along their condolences to President Obama and the American people. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II expressed her "deepest sympathies" to those affected and Pope Francis urged people to pray for families of those who've died, "especially those who lost young children."
If you'd like to assist in relief efforts text "REDCROSS" to 90999 for a $10 donation.
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