Oh my god, that's terrible. I've never seen such utter destruction.
It doesn't even look like the town got hit by a tornado, but by a nuclear bomb.
It doesn't even look like the town got hit by a tornado, but by a nuclear bomb.
Greensburg Kansas before and after
I merged a photo I took while in Greensburg last year with a photo from today taken by the Witchia Eagle. Also added some other before and afters 
hno:
Main St & US 54 before and after
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Hwy 54 before and after
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Main St. before and after
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Santa Rosa Development News
hno: Main St & US 54 before and after
Hwy 54 before and after
Main St. before and after
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Santa Rosa Development News
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Thanks for posting. I sure hope this town gets through this. I was in Wichita when the big one wiped Andover (suburb of Wichita) off the map back in April of '91. I can still remember seeing that tornado. It was HUGE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAmKvxIEY20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2veLsNZrlSw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BxZg66uqYE
My apt was almost hit a few years ago by one in Lawrence which took out some homes and an apartment complex across the street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAmKvxIEY20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2veLsNZrlSw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BxZg66uqYE
My apt was almost hit a few years ago by one in Lawrence which took out some homes and an apartment complex across the street.
These are absolutely unbelievable, tragic pictures. From what I'm hearing, the plains are going through another round of some really strong twisters tonight and I woulnd't be surprised to see more images like this tomorrow. Just goes to show you how ferocious tornadoes are.
As I type, a "massive" tornado was just reported ONE MILE from Greensburg, KS. Incredible.
As I type, a "massive" tornado was just reported ONE MILE from Greensburg, KS. Incredible.
very sad. can you imagine what the survivors are going through at this moment. If city-data.com's population figures for Greensburg are any indication, the town was already losing population at a fairly quick rate. Sad to say, but I doubt the town will have the energy or will to rebuild.
I agree(about rebuilding). Like so many small communities throughout the Midwest, population decline is a sad reality. This town seems very similar to my hometown, and imagining something so catastrophic as this happening there almost makes me sick to my stomach. Thankfully, the loss of life was minimal, given the nature. My thoughts are with those affected.very sad. can you imagine what the survivors are going through at this moment. If city-data.com's population figures for Greensburg are any indication, the town was already losing population at a fairly quick rate. Sad to say, but I doubt the town will have the energy or will to rebuild.
I just can't believe the scope of the destruction... Incredible.
Its scary to think that there might not be a will to rebuild. When your Main Street is pretty much leveled out and your house is reduced to wood chips, leaving seems like it would be a much easier option. Its hard enough going through a disaster like this, but then having to rebuild so much of not just your life, but your town... Its difficult. I hope they do care enough.
Perhaps they can use this as an opportunity to re-create the town, better than it was even before.
Its scary to think that there might not be a will to rebuild. When your Main Street is pretty much leveled out and your house is reduced to wood chips, leaving seems like it would be a much easier option. Its hard enough going through a disaster like this, but then having to rebuild so much of not just your life, but your town... Its difficult. I hope they do care enough.
Perhaps they can use this as an opportunity to re-create the town, better than it was even before.
I think most will rebuild. Some will do it because it's where they've always lived and they can't imagine it any other way. Others will stay because of the financial realities of buying a home in another city v. the cost to rebuild. Some will go because they no longer have a job and their kids need to go to school. Others will come in because of the possibility of cheap property to build on and start new families there. Main St. will be rebuilt through cheap federal loans and insurance payouts. (luckily unlike Katrina, the damage here is pretty strait forward, if you had tornado insurance, you should be covered.) In five years time, this will be a completely new rebuilt Greensburg
"We'll rebuild," said Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt, who lost his home. "It'll take time, but we'll rebuild this city. It's a scary thought, the number of homes that were destroyed."
Greensburg will still have to deal with the realities of a long term declining rural population spurred on by larger corporate farming that takes the farmer out of the equation, however they are no where near out for the count. With planning that allows for the growth of a small commercial/industrial base that could start to bring new jobs and opportunities to town, a new and younger population base could re-energize and reverse this declining trend.
"We'll rebuild," said Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt, who lost his home. "It'll take time, but we'll rebuild this city. It's a scary thought, the number of homes that were destroyed."
Greensburg will still have to deal with the realities of a long term declining rural population spurred on by larger corporate farming that takes the farmer out of the equation, however they are no where near out for the count. With planning that allows for the growth of a small commercial/industrial base that could start to bring new jobs and opportunities to town, a new and younger population base could re-energize and reverse this declining trend.
Wow that is terrible. I am originally from Wisconsin and tornadoes occur there also. I just see the grain elevator is completely intact. It would make a good shelter even after seeing the Zip grain elevator refuse to topple when being demolished (I think it was in Sioux Falls)
OMG even the traffic lights flew off of the poles. It has been declared 'EF5' that is winds over 200mph.
OMG even the traffic lights flew off of the poles. It has been declared 'EF5' that is winds over 200mph.
Right, they will rebuild. It was terrible and it is amazing how many people survived, but the town was built on farming and the grain elevator survived. So, the town will survive. It will probably never be the same, but there will be a town there next year. It is amazing how quickly people can come back together and rebuild in small communities. They really are just all one big family and they will join together and get things rolling in no time.I think most will rebuild. Some will do it because it's where they've always lived and they can't imagine it any other way. Others will stay because of the financial realities of buying a home in another city v. the cost to rebuild. Some will go because they no longer have a job and their kids need to go to school. Others will come in because of the possibility of cheap property to build on and start new families there. Main St. will be rebuilt through cheap federal loans and insurance payouts. (luckily unlike Katrina, the damage here is pretty strait forward, if you had tornado insurance, you should be covered.) In five years time, this will be a completely new rebuilt Greensburg
"We'll rebuild," said Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt, who lost his home. "It'll take time, but we'll rebuild this city. It's a scary thought, the number of homes that were destroyed."
Greensburg will still have to deal with the realities of a long term declining rural population spurred on by larger corporate farming that takes the farmer out of the equation, however they are no where near out for the count. With planning that allows for the growth of a small commercial/industrial base that could start to bring new jobs and opportunities to town, a new and younger population base could re-energize and reverse this declining trend.
Yeah, I have seen tornado aftermaths, but usually some of a town is left standing..this one took out the whole durn town!!!! It must have been an unusually wide tornado?
As for rebuilding, there was a very fatal tornado in the 1920s (the "Tri State Tornado") that also wiped out a few towns in its path (it was also unsually large). In that case some of the towns never did rebuild.
As for rebuilding, there was a very fatal tornado in the 1920s (the "Tri State Tornado") that also wiped out a few towns in its path (it was also unsually large). In that case some of the towns never did rebuild.
^I heard on CNN the National Weather Service said it was a whopping 1.7 miles wide! Imagine that thing barreling down on you at 3:00 in the morning.
edit quick google search turned this up. Apparently, this was shot just as lightning illuminated the sky and a few minutes before the tornado struck Greensberg.
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edit quick google search turned this up. Apparently, this was shot just as lightning illuminated the sky and a few minutes before the tornado struck Greensberg.
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