CNN: Congressman describes path of destruction in Oklahoma hometown

CNN - Kevin Liptak

The tornado that swept through the outskirts of Oklahoma City Monday destroyed parts of U.S. Rep. Tom Cole’s hometown, the Republican lawmaker told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.

Speaking by phone, Cole said he recognized familiar landmarks in Moore, Oklahoma, as he was watching television images of the destruction, including roofs ripped off buildings and entire blocks leveled.

“I can literally recognize the homes and the businesses,” Cole said on “The Situation Room,” adding later: “This stuff is within blocks of where I live. These are neighborhoods I walk through when I go out in the evening.”

He added he had spoken to his wife and son, who live in the area and survived the storm in a reinforced room in their home, which does not have a basement.

“Moore is primarily a suburban city, so you're looking at a lot of housing as well as small business damage, and obviously the school in West Moore appears to have gotten hit again,” Cole said. “So you worry about anything because obviously you've got children in school.”

“They take this stuff very seriously, so I don't have any doubt the right things were done, but it's just awful,” he continued.

Online: CNN