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Boy makes it out, best friend doesn’t at Plaza Towers

MOORE, Okla. – A struggle for the perfect bubble is Hayden Payne’s mission right now.

Days ago it was a struggle for life.

Hayden, brother Hunter and sister Emma were all in the Plaza Towers  Elementary school when the tornado hit.

Hayden is still trying to process it.

“We were up against the wall in a crouch position so we wouldn’t get hurt,” he said.

This third grader was one of the first to be pulled out of the school’s rubble.

“When the tornado came by it collapsed a wall on top of all the third graders and then the roof fell in after,” he said.

Dad Dusty Payne pulled Hayden out.

“He was in a ball still on his knees trapped underneath everything,” Dusty said.

Right in front of him was a classmate that was face down and he was buried up to his face in rubble.

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Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College transforms into tornado distribution center

MOORE, Okla. – In a mere 24 hours, the gym at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College has turned into a superstore of sorts.

“Cleaning products, a lot of paper towels, we have a lot of water, rice, food products, we’ve got about anything you need,” volunteer Dennis Teague said.

From here, volunteers spiral out, bringing aid to storm victims all over the metro. Those same victims can come to the college for anything they need.

“You’ve just gotta do it. And you pray the Lord will give you wisdom to do it right.  And to, ugh, to love on those people that come through,” Teague said.

One of the charities working out of Hillsdale College is Matthew 25 Ministries.

In four hour shifts, volunteers go on foot to the neighborhoods hardest hit by the EF 5 tornado.

Since many of the victims have no way to get to Hillsdale, this group takes the much-needed relief to them.

Hospital helps tornado victim get Cochlear implant

MOORE, Okla. – An Okla. hospital dug through the rubble to find a Cochlear implant for a tornado victim.

She is scheduled to have surgery soon.

*Click here for full Okla. tornado coverage.*

Governor Fallin signs disaster relief bill

MOORE, Okla. – Governor Mary Fallin signed a disaster relief bill that allow $45 million for relief efforts in Oklahoma.

The bill appropriates the $45 million in aid to victims in Carney, Little Axe, Moore, Norman, Newcastle, Shawnee and other areas affected by the storm.

Official said at least 1,150 homes were destroyed.

That number may change as assessments continue.

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Tornado survivors gather to show support for victims

MOORE, Okla. – As the families of tornado victims begin laying their loved ones to rest, people all across the state want to show them their support through this tragic time.

As the families of Nicolas McCabe and Kyle Davis lay their boys to rest, hundreds of people from around the state showed up to support them.

Jesse Stevens was one of hundreds of bikers who showed up. “I think it’s great how many people showed up.”

Waving flags and riding bikes, these are people who know firsthand what it’s like to survive the horrors of an Oklahoma tornado.

People have been making signs to show support for the families who lost someone in the tornado. It’s their way to give back to the people who lost so much this week.

Safety officials stress caution during tornado clean up

Safety officials said Oklahomans returning to their tornado-damaged homes in the next few days should be aware that entering a disaster-site after the fact still carries a host of potential dangers.

“Even though you’re coming back to what’s left of your own home,” Ray Ridlen said, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service. “There are still plenty of hazards that can cause serious injury.”

For instance, walls left standing in a home may be highly unstable, Ridlen pointed out, or what looks like simple debris may be covering exposed electrical wires or broken gas lines.

Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood aiding in tornado recovery

OKLAHOMA CITY – May 24, 2013 – Blake Shelton has organized and will headline the telethon “Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert” on May 29, to take place at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

Grammy Award-winning artists Miranda Lambert, Reba and Vince Gill will also perform. Additional guests for the concert will be announced shortly. The concert will be televised live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. It will also air on cable networks Style, G4, Bravo, E! and CMT on either a live or delayed basis.

“Everyone has their way to help, and mine as an entertainer is to perform to help raise money and awareness for this tragedy,” Shelton said. “This is why I want to do this special and especially hold it in Oklahoma City, which is near ground zero.”