[do] Mark the Greensburg Tornado Anniversary
On May 4, 2007, the farming town of Greensburg, Kansas was devastated when a 1.7-mile-wide, F5 tornado tore through the town. On the same night, tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, Colorado, and South Dakota, but the Greensburg tornado was by far the worst, consuming 95 percent of the town and taking 11 lives. This weekend, the town will mark the three-year anniversary with a variety of events and community activities designed to showcase the rebirth of Greensburg, including a benefit concert by country legend George Jones.
In the three years since the tornado, the town of Greensburg has started to take shape once again. Small businesses are slowly returning, Main Street has been completely repaved, and the city is now home to a beautiful, state-of-the-art-hospital. Buildings are being constructed, not only with new materials, but with a new mindset as well. As documented by the Discovery Channel program Greensburg: Planet Green, the city is reemerging as a completely sustainable community and they’re already being hailed for their eco-friendly efforts.
There are several events planned this weekend in the city of Greensburg, and everyone is invited. Running Friday through Sunday, the anniversary will include the grand opening of Centera Bank, a wind farm tour, biking tours, open houses, Main Street events and, on Saturday night, the May Music Mania concert featuring George Jones. Proceeds from this concert will go toward rebuilding one of the staples of Main Street, the Twilight Theatre. Click here for a complete event schedule.
As a Kansas girl, born and bred, I know we’re a tough people. While the nation watched in awe as people gathered to worship in the ruins of the Greensburg tornado on the Sunday following the devastation, I watched with pride. From the days of dust bowls and the Wild West, and always the threat of tornadoes, the plains have never been an easy place to call home. Three years later, the people of Greensburg have shown the fortitude of their forefathers and mothers, rebuilding their town in a way that will serve as an example to others.
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For four generations my family has grown up in Greensburg. I knew the town blindfolded and loved every inch of it. Never was I more proud than during the clean up effort. For a week I spent my nights working here in Wichita and my days cleaning up the homes of my Grandmother, my parents and an uncle in Greensburg. I lived on adrenaline and Red Bull; trying to stave off sleep as I drove back and forth.
And now to the see the work that is going into turning the town around, it’s simply amazing. I couldn’t be more proud to be from Greensburg than I am now.
I hope that you all take the opportunity to take in my hometown. A town that was special before the tornado, and is making leaps and bounds to become extrodinary now.
Thanks for the article Danni.
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