Saturday, May 05, 2007

Tornado in Kansas

Greensburg, Kansas has been hit very hard tonight by a tornado. Greensburg is about 80 miles from where I live and famous for the world's largest hand dug well, 109 feet deep and 32 feet in diameter, that served as the city's water supply until 1932. You can walk 105 steps down to the bottom and it's worth the trip.

What we hear at this point is that large parts of the town are simply gone, including everything on the west side of the main street. This includes a nice old drug store.

Houses, the hospital, the school, the grocery store, the Coastal Mart, the Pizza Hut - everything is gone. Patients are being taken to Pratt, where they have only 69 beds. They just reported they now have 50 patients from Greensburg - ranging in condition from good to critical.

Greg, Mia and I have watched storm coverage since about 9 p.m. and it's almost 3 a.m. now, but we're only getting to see photos and videos in the last few minutes. I'm sure there will be much more to show. It's fascinating to watch as an observer, but you can't stop thinking about how people's lives have been dramatically changed in the blink of an eye.

In Hutchinson, where I live, we've just been having wind. It has been nice to have fresh air going through the house, but you hate the reason for it.

I took this photo in my downstairs sunporch of the curtain blowing in the breeze.


Unfortunately, they say conditions are right for more severe weather tomorrow, including a possible tornado.

3 comments:

Sherry Mayer said...

Found your blog from tornado coverage on CNN. I have cousins there in Greensburg and am very concerned.
Your blog is great! I grew up in Wichita and my dad's family was from Haviland. I remember hounding my folks to take me to see the well in Greensburg on a visit to his hometown.
Thank you for your blog.
Sherry Mayer, Greensboro, NC

UncleD said...

I too came over from CNN news coverage of the tornado in Greensburg.
I'm praying for the people in Greensburg and I hope for the best for them.
I've bookmarked you and will be back.

Patsy Terrell said...

Thanks, Sherry and Bluelightin. I didn't know CNN was posting info on the blog, but am glad it was of use to people. I got a number of emails from people who must have had difficulty finding information. I have continued to post more info for people. Thanks for your good thoughts. The people of Greensburg are going to need then. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again.