Tornado flattens town in Kansas

A massive tornado killed at least nine people and flattened almost all of a small town in Kansas on Friday. More than 60 people were injured when the tornado - said to be up to a mile wide - hit the town of Greensburg. More than 95% of the 1,500-population town was destroyed, including the hospital and schools as well as homes.

Greensburg, located around 120 miles west of Wichita in southern Kansas, received a direct hit by the tornado late on Friday. The tornado was described as a "wedge", a particularly wide formation carrying winds of up to 250mph.

US President George W Bush has declared parts of Kansas a disaster area and has pledged federal aid for reconstruction.

"I'm confident this community will be rebuilt, to the extent we can help, we will.

"The most important thing now is for our citizens to ask for the good Lord to comfort those who were hurt," the president said after attending church in Washington on Sunday.

Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, who toured the devastated region, said: "It is no understatement or overstatement to say this town has been wiped off the face of the Earth."

The National Weather Service classified the Greensburg tornado as an F-5, the highest category and the first F-5 since it revised its scale this year to more comprehensively gauge damage potential, with less emphasis on wind speed. The last tornado classified as an F-5 hit the Oklahoma City area on May 3, 1999, killing 36 people.

Also severely damaged in Greensburg was the world's largest hand-dug well and Museum.

In 1884, the town needed a good supply of water and when the Santa Fe Railroad proposed building a well to supply water for the steam locomotives the city granted a franchise and construction of the Big Well began in August 1887. The only tools used were a shovel, pick, half barrel, pulley, and rope. A mule was lowered by means of a harness into the well when construction reached the very bottom.

The Santa Fe Railroad eventually removed its tracks, but the city used the well for water supply for 50 years. The Well was opened as a historic attraction in 1937 and visitors are able descend the metal stairway into the cavern. The museum also housed a 1,000 pound pallasite meteorite, the largest of its kind yet discovered. Valued at over one million dollars, the meteorite has fortunately been found amongst the rubble.

The rebuilding and renovation work in Greensburg will begin in earnest, but meantime everywhere else is operating normally and travellers are welcome to visit and continue to explore and experience the amazing sights and scenes of Kansas.

Visitors will have the opportunity to relive the wild-west as they stroll along the old Dodge City’s boardwalk, or stay on the Moore Ranch, a working ranch that raises Texas longhorn cattle and allows guests to come along and experience their everyday lifestyle. Dodge City is located just 40 miles west, and the Moore Ranch 25 miles south of Greensburg.

For further information visit:

Travelks.com
Longhorn-cattle.com
Visitdodgecity.org