President Obama said that survivors of the two-mile-wide tornado that swept through Moore, Okla. yesterday afternoon will receive all necessary U.S. government resources to recover from the disaster.

“Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today, and we will back up those prayers with deeds,” Obama said. At last count, the death toll from yesterday’s tornado was revised down to 24, though Oklahoma disaster officials say the figure is still subject to change.

“The people of Moore should know that their country will remain on the ground, beside them, for as long as it takes,” Obama said in brief remarks from the White House State Dining Room. During his address, the president said that W. Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration, is currently en route to Oklahoma to assess the damage caused by yesterday’s twister.

“There are empty spaces where there used to be living rooms and bedrooms and classrooms,” Obama said. “And in time we’re going to need to refill those spaces with love and laughter and community.”

Among the dead were seven children who were students at an elementary school that was flattened by the tornado.

Obama also framed the destruction in Moore against other recent natural disasters, including violent tornadoes that crushed towns such as Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Joplin, Mo. A tornado that tore through Joplin on May 22, 2011 killed 158 people and caused $2.8 billion in damage.

“Last night, the people of Joplin dispatched a team to help the people of Moore,” Obama said. ““As a nation, our full focus is on the urgent work of rescue and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead.”