2007 EF5 Tornado

Greensburg May 2007 Satellite Image
Greensburg May 2007 Satellite Image

In May 2007, Greensburg changed forever. An EF-5 tornado tore through our city, taking 10 lives, injuring many more and destroying 95% of the community. Some thought Greensburg was gone forever.  But many dug deep to find a pioneering spirit that has helped bring Greensburg back.

Residents and countless new friends have come together through the years to build a newer and stronger community.  Nothing can truly replace what we lost.  What we have done though is forge ahead, look to the  future and improve on what we had.

“Everything you can think of that makes up a town has gone—except for the people.  But, you know, Kansans are pretty resilient.  There will be a period of mourning and grief, and then the rebuilding will be underway.” Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius

Greensburg 2007 Tornado Facts:

May 4, 2007, EF5 tornado destroyed 95% of Greensburg, population 1,300;

¨ Tornado hit at 9:45 p.m. with 205 mph winds;  

¨ Sirens blew in Greensburg about 20 minutes before the tornado hit town;

¨ Tornado on the ground more than 28 miles for about 65 minutes with a maximum width of 1.7 miles;

¨ Ten (10) fatalities within Greensburg city limits, one in rural Pratt County and one in Stafford County;

¨ More than 1,400 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed;                                      

¨ Declared a major disaster on May 6, 2007 by President George W. Bush, triggering federal resources from a number of agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 

¨ More than $100 million in federal assistance was provided for emergency response, temporary housing, assistance to individuals, families and businesses, and repairing or replacing tornado-damaged public infrastructure such as government buildings, schools, emergency services and a hospital;

¨ Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program and the U.S. Department of Energy also played a key role in long-term recovery; 

¨ A grass-roots community rebuilding effort, guided by a FEMA long-term recovery team, held visioning meetings and helped develop a plan to chart Greensburg’s future and jump-start rebuilding;

¨ Countless voluntary agencies and private-sector partners contributed food, time, money and materials to support rebuilding.  In May 2007 alone, the American Red Cross served 39,172 meals;

¨ More than 7,600 volunteers registered via AmeriCorps to help clean up and rebuild Greensburg;

¨ About 75,000-80,000 truckloads of tornado-generated debris—totaling more than 800,000 cubic yards— were hauled from Greensburg;

¨ President Bush visited Greensburg twice in the first year—initially five days after the tornado, and again in May 2008 to speak at the high school graduation ceremony.

Long Term Recovery Plan- August 2007

Greensburg Sustainable Comprehesive Plan- May 2008