NASA Releases Satellite Images of Oklahoma Tornado System

NASA released satellite images of the supercell storm system that spawned an F4 tornado in the Oklahoma suburb of Moore, just south of Oklahoma City.

NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible-light image that provided a detailed look at the supercell thunderstorm; the agency's other instruments were able to capture nighttime images that showed the storm system was still active after nightfall.

NASA uploaded a gallery of satellite images to Flickr.

A video of the satellite feed can be seen here. 

The storm's death toll was lowered from incorrectly high initial estimates. Officials state that the most accurate death toll is now 24, but that those declared missing remain unaccounted for.

Gov. Mary Fallin said there were 237 injured, and the probability of increased injuries and deaths may rise.

NASA said this tornado was about twice as wide as the tornado that struck Moore on May 3, 1999.

"This was the storm of storms," Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said.

 Damian Britton, a fourth-grader who was in class when the twister tore through his school, said, "It was just a disaster. There was just a bunch of stuff thrown around and the cars were tipped over, and it smelled like gas."