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Kansas residents return home
07/05/2007 20:29 - (SA)
Kansas - Every business on the main street of Greensburg, Kansas was demolished by one of the strongest tornadoes to rake across the great plains of the central United States.
Fresh search and rescue dogs were being brought in on Monday from Missouri as the hunt for survivors and bodies continues across a landscape dotted with mounds of debris.
Officials estimate as much as 95% of the town was destroyed by the tornado on Friday night.
Tree trunks stood bare, stripped of most of their branches. All the churches were destroyed.
At least eight people in this community of 1 500 were killed, putting the state's total death toll at 10. No one was found on Sunday in the debris.
"Even though I have been to other disasters, this one was a lot worse - the amount of damage," said paramedic Anne Gasten.
"It is such a large area that was destroyed that it made it difficult" to search.
'Highest category' tornado
Residents were to be allowed back to their homes on Monday, giving rescuers a better idea of whether any missing residents might be buried under rubble.
Since the tornado hit, emergency responders have had little indication of how many people in this south-central Kansas town may be safely staying with friends or relatives, rather than in shelters.
Only residents will be allowed back into town.
Law enforcement officials will be checking identification and compiling a list of people whose whereabouts still has not been determined.
The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an F-5, the highest category on its scale.
The weather service said it had wind estimated at 330 kph, and carved a track 2.7km wide and 35km long.
A 'hampered' response
The twister is the first classified as an F-5 since May 3 1999, when a tornado killed 36 people in Oklahoma City.
It is the first F-5 since the weather service revised its scale this year, in an effort to more comprehensively gauge tornadoes' damage potential, with less emphasis on wind speed.
The Greensburg twister was part of a storm front that also spawned tornadoes in parts of Illinois, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Nebraska, though most damage elsewhere was minimal, said officials.
Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius said on Sunday evening the state's response will likely be hampered because much of the equipment usually positioned around the state to respond to emergencies is now in Iraq.
'A pioneer spirit'
"Not having the National Guard equipment, which used to be positioned in various parts of the state, to bring in immediately is really going to handicap this effort to rebuild," said Sebelius.
President George W Bush declared parts of Kansas a disaster area, freeing up federal money to aid in recovery.
Bush said: "There's a certain spirit in the Midwest of our country, a pioneer spirit that still exists, and I'm confident this community will be rebuilt."
On the net:
Greensburg, Kansas
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