Authorities lower death toll to 24; number of injured hits 240, including 60 kids

[Lady Freedom Returns]

Rescuers searched frantically for survivors Tuesday as the death toll from the massive tornado that leveled suburban Oklahoma City was dropped to 24.

The sharp decline from the original fatality list of 51 names was likely caused by double counting of victims, authorities said.

The National Weather Service said the twister registered a jaw-dropping F-4 on the Fujita scale, the second most powerful storm on the tornado-ranking scale.

The governor, who toured the devastated areas Monday, said President Obama called her to offer federal assistance and gave her the direct line to his office. Later, Obama signed a disaster declaration for Oklahoma and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area.

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