Amazing Animals Survive Oklahoma Tornado

Amid the devastation and debris, rescue workers and locals find furry friends who miraculously survived.

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The nation is mourning Monday’s deadly tornado that whipped across Oklahoma killing at least 24 people and injuring dozens. But some heartening news of residents discovering pets as they search through the rubble has set social media abuzz.

During a live interview with CBS News, Moore resident Barbara Garcia found her missing dog beneath the debris. Garcia explained that she rode out the storm in the bathroom of her now-decimated home, but was separated from her dog. As she’s telling her story, someone off-camera spots the dog, buried beneath the rubble. As the camera rolled, Garcia was able to lift up the debris and free the pup.

“Well I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be okay,” Garcia said, “but he answered both of them.”

Below are more images of rescue workers and locals finding furry friends amid the debris and devastation.

Maeghan Hadley

Sue Ogrocki / AP

Maeghan Hadley, of One Day Ranch pet rescue, checks over a kitten pulled from under the rubble of a mobile home destroyed by Sunday’s tornado in the Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park, near Shawnee, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013.

Huge Oklahoma Tornado Kills Dozens

Gene Blevins / ZUMAPRESS.com

A boy cradles his dog among the rubble in Moore, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013.

From left: Eric and June Simson hold their cat 'Sammi' seconds after finding it in the rubble of their home in a destroyed neighborhood in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013.
TANNEN MAURY / EPA
From left: Eric and June Simson hold their cat ‘Sammi’ seconds after finding it in the rubble of their home in a destroyed neighborhood in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013.
Sean Xuereb recovers a dog from the rubble of a home that was destroyed by a tornado on May 21, 2013 in Moore, Okla.

Scott Olson / Getty Images
Sean Xuereb recovers a dog from the rubble of a home that was destroyed by a tornado on May 21, 2013 in Moore, Okla.

PHOTOS: Tornado Flattens Oklahoma City Suburb, Kills Dozens

WATCH: Videos Reveal Startling Size of Oklahoma Tornado
Update: This story was revised with additional photos at 7:41p.m. EST on May 21, 2013

The nation is mourning Monday’s deadly tornado that whipped across Oklahoma killing at least 24 people and injuring dozens. But some heartening news of residents discovering pets as they search through the rubble has set social media abuzz.

During a live interview with CBS News, Moore resident Barbara Garcia found her missing dog beneath the debris. Garcia explained that she rode out the storm in the bathroom of her now-decimated home, but was separated from her dog. As she’s telling her story, someone off-camera spots the dog, buried beneath the rubble. As the camera rolled, Garcia was able to lift up the debris and free the pup.

“Well I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be okay,” Garcia said, “but he answered both of them.”

Below are more images of rescue workers and locals finding furry friends amid the debris and devastation.

Maeghan Hadley

Sue Ogrocki / AP

Maeghan Hadley, of One Day Ranch pet rescue, checks over a kitten pulled from under the rubble of a mobile home destroyed by Sunday’s tornado in the Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park, near Shawnee, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013.

Huge Oklahoma Tornado Kills Dozens

Gene Blevins / ZUMAPRESS.com

A boy cradles his dog among the rubble in Moore, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013.

From left: Eric and June Simson hold their cat 'Sammi' seconds after finding it in the rubble of their home in a destroyed neighborhood in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013.
TANNEN MAURY / EPA
From left: Eric and June Simson hold their cat ‘Sammi’ seconds after finding it in the rubble of their home in a destroyed neighborhood in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013.
Sean Xuereb recovers a dog from the rubble of a home that was destroyed by a tornado on May 21, 2013 in Moore, Okla.

Scott Olson / Getty Images
Sean Xuereb recovers a dog from the rubble of a home that was destroyed by a tornado on May 21, 2013 in Moore, Okla.

PHOTOS: Tornado Flattens Oklahoma City Suburb, Kills Dozens

WATCH: Videos Reveal Startling Size of Oklahoma Tornado
Update: This story was revised with additional photos at 7:41p.m. EST on May 21, 2013