Greensburg, Kansas: First Winter After the Tornado

Anyone who watched the "Andy Griffith Show" in the 1960's, set in the fictional town of Mayberry, caught a glimpse of Greensburg, Kansas. For over a hundred years, Greensburg's look was very 'Mayberry-ish' until that fateful night, on May 4, 2007, when an EF5 tornado flattened over 90% of her buildings. The event, and the first 24 hours following, are chronicled in the story, "Tornado Levels Greensburg, Kansas."

Fast-forward to seven months later, and a lump grew in my throat, as we crossed into her city limits on Christmas Eve. We'd driven into Greensburg, Kansas, countless times over the years, and never gave it a second thought. Crhistmas Eve 2007 was different. Our truck rolled into town at dusk, and time stood still on Highway 54. All four occupants hushed in awe of the visual overload surrounding us. It was too true: One could not know the depth and breadth of a natural disaster, without being in the presence of the wounds it cut into natural and man-made worlds, alike.

We had delayed our trip a day, because a blizzard rammed South Central Kansas. The snowy shadows played a bizarre dance with the open wounds still glaring at us, across the horizon. Shockingly, the winter blanket did not hide the tragic evidence. Greensburg's first Christmas Eve was humble, sparse, and deeply tornado scarred. Where homes, shade trees, manicured lawns, and Christmas lights had greeted us year after year, just empty lots, broken stumps, and darkness enveloped us with the setting sun.

I counted three new buildings in various stages of construction, visible from Highway 54. A shiny, new gas station bustled with activity. A new plank fence caught my eye just south of the highway. On it hung a white banner, proclaiming: "Greensburg Says Thanks To The World!" I choked in humble contemplation: "Greensburg's still so wounded, far from rebuilt, and so many promises made that remain unfulfilled, yet grateful. "

Glancing to our left along the main road, we let out a collective "Gasp!" The sight of the MASH unit military tents (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital), with giant red crosses blazing across the tops, brought tears to my eyes. The M.A.S.H. units appeaed to be the new center of town - Greensburg's own 'Badge of Courage' standing against the war started by the tornado's invasion. These tents marked the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, along with other portable structures. They were an ominous testament to what happened there, as well as a positive reminder that life goes on.

As we neared the east end of town, I marveled at the thought that only twelve people ultimately lost their lives in the massive tornado activity across Kiowa and Pratt Counties that night. Indeed, that storm hit in the middle of the night, when many folks were in bed. Most homes were complete losses, yet occupants survived.

And finally, I mourned at the thought that most news accounts only said there were ten who died. Yes, ten died who were in Greensburg proper. Respectfully, they were: Richard Fry, Kitty Greenwood, Claude Hopkins, Larry Hoskins, Evelyn Kelly, David Lyon, Colleen Panzer, Ronald Rediger, and Sarah Thackett. However, two died from injuries sustained in the same storm system, in the nearby towns of Hopewell and Stafford. When Kansas and American weather historians archive the loss of lives from the EF5 Greensburg tornado storm system, should not Alexander 'Junior' Giles and Robert Tim Buckman be included? In the final tally, the storm of May 4th, 2007 took twelve lives from the Kiowa and Pratt County region of South Central Kansas.

During our Christmas week with family and friends in the South Central Kansas area, our loved ones shared their own stories of volunteering, charity, loss, revelation, and renewal, in the rebirth of their neighboring community. The night of the tornado is not over for Greensburg, or for the surrounding towns.

Much work is yet to be done, yet there have been bright notes along the way. The ruins of the old Dillon's grocery store hauntingly remained beside Highway 54 this winter. It was one of the few major structures left waiting for its turn at the bulldozer. We were told the Kroger Company, parent to Dillon's, announced they were not planning to rebuild the full service store, but decided a smaller convenience store would replace it.

Rows and rows of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailers house many Greensburg residents, and it is my understanding that they may remain in them, rent-free, for a maximum of 18 months. Hopefully, rebuilding promises and plans will come to fruition in a timely manner, so this mostly retirement age population community may again, truly call Greensburg, "Home."

The little town sets in the Bible Belt, so Christian faith and fortitude was evident all around. No less than eight different denominations have been holding regular worship services and events in individual temporary buildings.

To the joy of proud Greensburg natives, the 'World's Largest Hand-Dug Well' and its Big Well Gift Shop have reopened! The Kansas State Christmas ornament for 2007 featured Greensburg, and is available for purchase right there! Hours are Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A wide variety of other items in the spirit of Kansas are also for sale, arriving daily.

Also, Candy Cane Lane, a traditional Greensburg Christmas experience, surprisingly sparkled this year! The tornado destroyed some of the previous decorations, but lights went up and the show went on! Candy Cane Lane lit up the Holiday nights from December 15^th December 26^th.

Despite overwhelming loss, in the months since the tornado, citizens realized nature's wrath provided a chance to build a new and 'greener' Greensburg. With the town over 90% destroyed, Greensburg's rebuilding plan meant a chance at a completely new start. Citizens excited about the opportunity to energy efficient homes. Locals with electrical, plumbing, drywall, or carpentry skills have been volunteering, pooling their resources toward the goal of repairing and rebuilding neighbors' homes. The city issued over 600 building permits since May 2007. A documentary was recently filmed there, regarding the environmentally-friendly building practices and materials being used in the area. The Official Website of Greensburg, Kansas home page article, "Greensburg: A Green City" states, "The Discovery Channel is filming a series, "Eco-Town," about Greensburg that will air next year on their new network, Planet Green."

Greensburg's official website also highlighted a bright promise for this small town's job market. Torsten Energy, LLC staked its claim on Greensburg for its bio-diesel operations. Torsten Energy was the first company to build at the new industrial park, on the edge of town.

Visiting Greensburg in her first winter since the EF5 tornado of May 4^th, 2007, humbled, inspired and left me with curious anticipation for her future.