Claremore Progress: Obama gets firsthand look at tornado ravaged Moore

Claremore Progress - Michael Kinney

Six days after an EF5 tornado killed 24 people and caused more than $2 billion in damage to Moore, President Barack Obama paid the city a visit Sunday.

He got a first-hand look at the destruction and reassured residents that he was in the rebuilding phase for the long haul.

According to The White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency has already provided $57 million in rebates and incentives to help build about 12,000 storm shelters in Oklahoma.

“When we say we got your back, we keep our word,” Obama said. “When we say we are going to be here until you are completely rebuilt, we mean it.”

Obama arrived at Tinker Air Force base at 11:42 a.m. in Air Force One and was greeted by Gov. Mary Fallin, who he hugged, Rep. Tom Cole, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Midwest City Mayor Jack Fry.

Obama then took time to speak to some of the 350 Tinker personnel whose homes were damaged or lost in the tornadoes.

Along the route to Moore, people lined the roadways, many holding American flags or using cell phones to take photos of the passing Presidential Motorcade.

Obama’s first stop was Plaza Towers Elementary where seven school children lost their lives in the tornado.

As he walked up Eagle Drive, he stared at the scenes of destruction on both sides of him.

He was met by Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis, Fallin and Cole as they toured the neighborhood around the school.

Obama and his group then stopped at a spot where a house used to stand before it had collapsed in on itself.

All that was left was a pile of rubble.

As Obama and his entourage finally made their way to Plaza Towers school, they were greeted by school staff, district personnel and first responders.

“Hello everybody,” the president said as he approached the group.

The president, his sleeves rolled up, gave a long hug to Plaza Towers Elementary Principal Amy Simpson and spoke with her for several minutes.

He also talked with Briarwood Principal Shelley McMillin, Moore Superintendent Susie Pierce and teachers who were in the building when the tornado struck.

“Obviously the damage here is pretty hard to comprehend,” Obama said. “Our hearts go out to the families who have been impacted, including those who had loved ones who were lost. That was true for the parents of the seven children here Plaza Towers Elementary school.”

Cole told Obama that he grew up on the same street as the superintendent. Pierce made sure to remind Obama that Cole is much older than she is, which brought a laugh from all three.

“I know what a hard time this has been for her,” Cole said. “This is the job of a lifetime. She always wanted to be a teacher. And she has to deal with this tragedy that no superintendent would want to deal with. She is phenomenal. I know what it meant to her and her principles that the President of the United States came. The leader of the free world shows up to tell you he’s going to be rooting for you, he’s going to be there for you.”

Online: Claremore Progress