Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Greensburg Kansas is suffering

I am from the land of Oz, but far away from Greensburg. Still in the lower half of the state. Many people have asked me is we're alright (Wichita didn't get touched), and what they could do to help. Before I answer that, let me tell you a little more.
This was the strongests tornado in the US for more than 9 years. It was over a mile wide (one of my Realtor friends is a storm chaser, I think he said 1.8 miles). Citizens were kept away from their homes until this morning (last nights storms were bad too). They had to evacuate by lunch because 2 train cars full of amonia were damaged and leaking.
People were wandering the streets, counting the foundations to figure out which... Homesite was theirs. The homes were so leveled, you couldn't tell which house was which. A local bar that had always advertised "Warm beer, bad service" was being used as a morgue. People are staying anywhere they can, with the clothes on their backs. All of their clothes are gone too.
And the weather isn't finished. Now that the winds have passed, the rivers (already close to overflow) are going to be hit with more rain, all week long. The whole town already leveled, may soon be under water too.
My wife works for a local radio station. We spend Sunday on the streets collecting money for the Salvation Army to be donated to Greensburg. We used the bell ringers stands, and it was called "Cans for Kansas". Lots of locals are doing what they can, but a few have asked what they can do. My best suggestion, MONEY. Give it to your local Salvation Army, earmarked for Greensburg Kansas. These poor folks have nothing. Second suggestion, BLOOD. Our local Red Cross is out of everything but the bear minimum. We all have blood, give a little.
If anyone would like to know more, or I can help find family, let me know. I'll do my best.

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