First Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Victim Identified, Ja'Nae Hornsby, 9, Drowned In Basement Of Elementary School, How And Where To Send Help

Nine-year-old Ja'Nae Hornsby has been the first confirmed victim of the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla. Lt. Gov Todd Lamb said that the school's basement was where at least seven children died at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma.

Ja'Nae's father confirmed the girl's death to press.  Ja'Nae's grandmother also confirmed that the body was at the medical examiner's office and that they were notified at 9 A.M.

Janae was likely in the basement of the school-where people are often told to take shelter during tornadoes.  My understanding, this school ... Plaza Towers, they had a basement," Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb told press.

"Quite frankly, don't mean to be graphic, but that's why some of the children drowned, because they were in the basement area."

Ja'Nae's father described her as vivacious and said she was always smiling. Kyle Davis and Sydney Angle are two other likely victims who drowned in the basement with Ja'Nae. Their deaths have not been fully confirmed.

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster zone and has called on FEMA supplement state and local recovery efforts.

The town of Moore "needs to get everything it needs right away" after the tornado, Obama said.

"Among the victims were young children trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew - their school," he said Tuesday.

People around the country are wondering how to help, and here are some resources. The Oklahoma Red Cross is the first line of defense for first responders. You can donate at RedCross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999.

The Salvation Army is mobilizing food relief, water, and counseling to survivors. Donate online or text STORM to 80888 to donate $10.

People in Oklahoma can find a list of drop-off locations for places accepting in-kind donations here: https://www.news9.com/story/22314079/several-donations-drop-off-locations-established-in-ok-for-tornado-victims 

The Oklahoma branch of the Now or Never Horse Helper (NNHH) in Oklahoma is calling for volunteers who can foster any of the surviving horses to call 405-799-3276

The Pet Food Pantry is offering pet supplies. (405) 664-2858 www.petfoodpantryokc.org.

The tornado, which was two miles wide, left hundreds injured and at least 24 dead, at least nine of whom are children. A hospital and two schools were flattened by the tornado. The worst-hit area was Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City. A tornado was on the ground for about 40 minutes. Rescue workers using equipment like dogs and thermal imaging devices continued to frantically look through rubble and destroyed buildings for survivors. Cars and homes are burning.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., is predicting more stormy weather Tuesday. They predict isolated tornadoes in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The area of risk does not include Moore. Throughout the region, there will be hail as big as golf balls and gale-force winds.