A tornado has torn through Oklahoma, leaving at least 24 people dead, including a number of children, according to reports.

Hundreds of people have been left seeking shelter, with many moving into undamaged secure structures, including numerous churches that have served as places of emergency refuge.

The tornado is believed to have brought winds of up to 200 mph, and left a trail of destruction in the region.

Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore was left flattened, sparking a frantic search for survivors. Staff and students at the school were described to have nowhere to hide from the tornado as it closed in on their school, burying many victims under rubble as the school buildings collapsed.

Reports have said that 75 third-grade students were huddled together when the tornado struck, and at least seven have been confirmed dead.

Many of the other students have now been moved to a nearby church for shelter and medical assistance. However, a number are still thought to be missing and the search for survivors continues.

Christian organization Samaritan's Purse has reported that they have staff making their way to the affected areas and would be providing any assistance they could to the victims of the tornado. The organization confirmed that two of its Disaster Relief teams had been deployed.

The organization released this statement: "A mile-wide twister pounded the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, leveling homes, businesses and schools in Moore. The funnel cloud could be seen for miles, creating a debris field several miles wide. Weather officials estimated the strength of the tornado to be an EF-4 or EF-5, with radar estimates suggesting it had the potential to produce 200 mph winds."