MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The fire chief in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado says the search for survivors and the dead is almost complete.
Fire Chief Gary Bird said Tuesday that he's "98 percent sure" there are no more survivors or bodies to recover under the rubble in Moore.
Bird says every damaged home has been searched at least once, and that his goal is to conduct three searches of each location just to be sure.
He's hopeful the work could be completed by nightfall, though heavy rains have slowed efforts and soaked debris piles.
Bird says no additional survivors or bodies have been found since Monday night.
Monday's tornado flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.