MOORE, Okla. - The Oklahoma Insurance Department says a preliminary damage estimate could top $2 billion for the tornado that hit the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore.

Spokeswoman Calley Herth tells The Associated Press that the early tally is based on visual assessments of an extensive damage zone stretching more than 17 miles and the fact that the tornado was on the ground for 40 minutes.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.