The death toll from the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, over the weekend continues to rise, with 123 people reportedly killed and an estimated 750 injured. Rescue workers are searching through the wreckage of some 2,000 buildings in an effort to find survivors. It was the single deadliest twister to touch down in the United States since 1947, with winds reaching 200 miles per hour. Similar weather wreaked havoc in nearby states on Tuesday. A series of tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, killing five people and injuring at least 60 others outside Oklahoma City. Meanwhile in Kansas, two people were killed by extreme weather, and two more were reported dead in Arkansas. On a visit to Britain, President Obama paid tribute to the victims.

President Obama: “Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are suffering at this moment. And all we can do is let them know that all of America cares deeply about them and that we are going to do absolutely everything we can to make sure that they recover.”