As search-and-rescue officials finally closed the lid on Tuesday night for potential survivors or bodies, residents of Moore, Oklahoma, now focus on reclaiming their lives before the disruptive tornado hit their hometown on Monday afternoon. The official death tally was recorded at 24, with more than 230 injured. Damage to property was placed at an estimated US$3 billion.

"We are still in shock but we will come through," Juan Dills, a 35-year-old Moore resident who lost his home, told ABC News.

The supercell thunderstorm, which NASA was able to capture on its image satellites, battered on the city, leaving a trail of devastation that is two miles wide and 17 miles long.

The National Weather Service said the twister churned wind speeds of up to 200 mph.

Couple Roger and Kalissa Graham, whose house fortunately is insured, said they will stay in the meantime with relatives.

"It's unreal. It's so visceral. My house is just a big pile of rubble, yet we found a (ceramic) jar intact ... There's no lack of support out here. We're just trying to figure out what's next," Mr Graham said.

Barbara Garcia, who hid in the bathroom, summed up the fighting spirit of Moore's residents: "The tornado was there and it was gone. Just ... just no time. And then it was light ... I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be OK, but he answered both of them because this was my second prayer. Bless your little sweet heart."

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