What Would A 'Twister Sister' Do In Oklahoma?

Oklahoma officials have lowered the number of confirmed deaths from 51 to 24, including at least nine children, after a massive tornado with 200 MPH winds devastated much of Moore, Oklahoma, Monday afternoon. This morning, President Obama assured the community that they will not face the recovery process alone, saying that the country will     "remain on the ground, there for them, beside them, as long as it takes."

Few know the recovery process better than the O'Neill sisters of Monson, Mass., who took charge of organizing the relief effort when a tornado ripped through their community almost two years ago. Caitria and Morgan O'Neill — the so-called "twister sisters" — have since co-founded recovers.org, a relief infrastructure designed to prepare communities before disasters strike. Caitria O'Neill joins us to offer a sense of what the town of Moore will be grappling with in the days, months, and years to come.

Caitria O'Neill, CEO and co-founder of recovers.org.

The New York Times, "Emergency crews and volunteers continued to work Tuesday in a frantic search for survivors of a massive tornado that ripped through parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs, killing dozens of people and flattening whatever lay in its path, including a hospital and at least two schools."

TED, "After a natural disaster strikes, there’s only a tiny window of opportunity to rally effective recovery efforts before the world turns their attention elsewhere. Who should be in charge? When a freak tornado hit their hometown, sisters Caitria and Morgan O’Neill — just 20 and 24 at the time — took the reins and are now teaching others how to do the same."

Radio Boston, "O’Neill was standing in her front yard when the tornado barreled through Monson and along with her sister Morgan, worked tirelessly to coordinate volunteers and aid."