Amazing Satellite Photos: Greensburg, Kansas – Before and After

Published on May 11th, 2007

Posted by hhopper in General

Greensburg Before

Greensburg before EF5 tornado struck.

Greensburg after EF5 tornado struck.

Notice that the swimming pool in the upper right is empty in the after photo.

For more (and larger) photos Click Here.

38 users responded in " Amazing Satellite Photos: Greensburg, Kansas – Before and After "

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# 1 Undissembled said, on May 11th, 2007 at 1:01 pm

That’s a lot of destroyed trailers.

# 2 Gig said, on May 11th, 2007 at 1:10 pm

Well, it is obvious Greensburg pissed off God. It is for this reason I don’t want to live anywhere near where the servers for dvorak.org are located. It’s just a matter of time.

# 3 tallwookie said, on May 11th, 2007 at 1:24 pm

The FSM strikes again!

# 4 Jägermeister said, on May 11th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

#2 – Well, it is obvious Greensburg pissed off God.

That’s one of the reason why I’m an Atheist… I don’t want to piss of this God fellow… that way I can live safe and happy life.

# 5 joshua said, on May 11th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

#1…this was a town, with houses and businesses….maybe a trailor or 2. This one may have thrown a glitch in the old adage of tornado’s drawn to trailor parks.

# 6 ECA said, on May 11th, 2007 at 3:12 pm

At least the Sports filed in the South section is still available.

# 7 Ron said, on May 11th, 2007 at 4:56 pm

Interesting observation about the pool. Although, it may still be empty from winter. I don’t think most pools in the midwest open until around Memorial Day. Sad and amazing destruction. Atheist or not, we should all say a prayer for the people who live(d) there. I’m not sure any of us realize how devastating this can be.

# 8 JimR said, on May 11th, 2007 at 6:37 pm

Ron, statistically most of those people pray regularly. Look what good it did them. If they truly want to avoid that type of catastrophe, should put their faith in nature and move away from tornado alley.

# 9 Rob said, on May 11th, 2007 at 7:07 pm

Tornadoes suck.

# 10 Floyd said, on May 11th, 2007 at 8:11 pm

#9: yes tornadoes suck. #8 has the right idea–move away from tornado alley if possible. I’m an Indiana native, and moved from that state 22 years ago. I haven’t regretted it. An apartment I lived in back in the 70s was destroyed by a tornado in 2003. it’s been rebuilt, but living in a tornado area is dicey.
As I stated in another post, I drove through Greensburg KS last summer, and it seemed like a nice normal town that hadn’t seen a tornado in a long time. Sad to see this happen to them.

# 11 smartalix said, on May 12th, 2007 at 4:18 am

Where’s the National Guard when we desparately need them?

Oh, right, Emperor Dumya sent all our assets off to his idiotic war.

# 12 James Hill said, on May 12th, 2007 at 8:47 am

So what? I can do the same thing in Sim City.

# 13 Matthew said, on May 12th, 2007 at 9:47 am

Can I say it? People shouldn’t build houses in the path of tornadoes. They shouldn’t get any help from the government.

# 14 ECA said, on May 12th, 2007 at 10:00 am

13,
NO…
They should BUILD BETTER HOMES…
concrete bunkers…

# 15 Born in Greensburg said, on May 12th, 2007 at 11:17 am

I must say I’m shocked at the ignorance of the Dvorak readers. Most of the posts above don’t warrant a response, but it’s safe to say the comments about trailers and “the paths of tornadoes” show an astonishing level of ignorance. Not to wish harm for anyone, but perhaps if you were to experience just a taste of something like this, you could begin to understand. My advice, shut your mouths and open your minds.

# 16 Erik Blazynski said, on May 12th, 2007 at 6:09 pm

How can you blame anyone but Pat Robertson? Clearly he could have asked god not to let this happen.

-Erik

# 17 just a kansas girl said, on May 15th, 2007 at 3:11 pm

Wow. I have to say, most people don’t know much about tornadoes. They hit just about every state in the union at some point in time. Kansas isn’t the only place, for sure. And no, there weren’t many trailers in Greensburg. Mostly older brick homes that have stood there for over 115 years, and weathered many strong Kansas storms.

As for the governor’s comments, re: Iraq, etc. Let’s think about this. She’s part of the same crowd complaining that our troops in Iraq don’t have enough equipment. Have we forgotten that Pres. Clinton is the one who cut the military budget??? Hmm. I don’t know how I feel about the war, but let’s not take the tragedy in Kansas and make it a political issue!

I grew up there… Yes, there are a lot of God-fearing people. Yes, there are some very “not” godly people. Just like any other town in the world. Did God CAUSE this? No, I don’t think so. Scripture says, “It rains on the just and the unjust.” It’s all about the fact that there are tornadoes in the summer, not about people’s personal lives.

God bless Kansas and the wonderful people of Greensburg as they begin to rebuild their lives.

# 18 greensburg strong and proud said, on May 18th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

Greensburg is my hometown and i believe that we will rebuild and that people will hopefully come back because I still plan on spending my life there. I think that the people that left negative comments should have to experience an F5 tornado so they know what we went through and know how devestating it is,because the photos don’t do a justice. I believe that we will rebuild and even though it will be brand new I will always love the old Greensburg and it will never be the same.

# 19 willywildcat said, on May 19th, 2007 at 7:54 pm

I would like to reiterate what #18 stated, I live 30 miles east of Greensburg, in Pratt. My family and our home took a direct hit from a tornado in 2002 and everything was destroyed. Until you have lived through it, it’s difficult to understand. I can’t imagine what the people of the gulf coast experienced during and after Katrina, nor can I fully understand what 9/11 was for New Yorkers and those who got the chance to see ground zero. Well, today I was in Greensburg and it left me speechless. I doubt many of you, if any, have seen total destruction like this. I had seen the pics, hell I lived through one, but when you see a complete town almost wiped off the map, it’s humbling. You can literally do a complete 360 and not see a house standing…..just tree trunks of once wonderful cottonwoods that used to cover the town. Please give the people of Greensburg some slack; they’ve had enough to handle rather than having to get online and read some embecilic remarks as stated above.

# 20 GHS said, on May 20th, 2007 at 10:01 am

I LOVE GREENSBURG!!!! it is the greatist town on earth and the Greensburg Rangers ROK!

# 21 Nancy said, on May 23rd, 2007 at 7:32 am

I spent the past two weeks in Greensburg (where I was born and where my parents and relatives still live) helping people clean up and try to rebuild their lives. These people grow the crops that sustain this country. Let’s show a little respect. Natural disasters can happen anywhere, no place is totally safe. Next time it could be you or people you care about.

# 22 Larry said, on May 28th, 2007 at 7:40 am

The devistation incurred by the small town of Greensburg is no less a shock and horror to those people than it was to the hundreds of thousands of people who lost everything in Katrina and Rita. So how do I know?? Well…since my wife and I lost 2 homes in Hurricane Katrina, and nearly everything we owned, I think I know and understand. Nearly two years later, and my wife cannot handle going back to the New Orleans area. It’s just too painful. When you loose everything you have to a natural disaster, it refocuses you, makes you take a look at yourself and what’s important. Things can be replaced, but family and friends cannot. When they are gone…they are gone. It makes you appreciate the small things in life.
Oh…and just when you think the area you live in is safe from any type of disaster…think again. No place is safe…you take your chances no matter where you live.

# 23 greensburg4life said, on June 8th, 2007 at 7:58 am

no,gig. greensburg did not piss off god. i beilieve everything happens for a reason. and god also did this for a reason. this has is advantages.Greensburg was a great town and it will be when its rebuilt.this has brought our community closer together than it already was. so please respect this comment board and only say appropriate things.

# 24 Ominous said, on June 8th, 2007 at 10:49 pm

To those of you who think that Greensburg deserved this for pissing off God… You have yet to see the destruction to come.

To the people who thinks this is a joke or no big deal?

Try going through 200MPH+ winds, having your home torn apart, job taken, homeless… And how about going there and smelling that rooten ordor every single day while your out there picking up the remains are your litterally shattered life. And then come back here and start joking about it.

Oh… and to genius number 14… I went there already to help out… A concrete basement cealing was actually being ripped out of the ground by the force of the tornado. Half of it was ripped out and surprisingly the owner survived.

Anyone one of you who thinks this is a joke… I would love to have you come to Greensburg and meet me face to face and say it. Until then… You have yet to experience true horror in your lives! Condemn me with your words… but I am correct.

# 25 Victoria said, on July 9th, 2007 at 6:19 am

My heart goes out to the people of Greensburg.
I have visited there before and it was a sweet little
friendly town.
While the news reports have all but stopped and the memories
of that day are fading for all of us…..They are still living it every day and night. They are displaced, stressed, exhausted and greiving losses
we can’t even imagine.

No one is safe from disasters.
Tornados, Floods, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Wildfires,
Mudslides, Volcanoes and Drought. Does anyone live somewhere
that nothing on this list would affect you? We live on and aging planet
with laws of nature in place. “It is not Gods wrath”.

To my fellow Kansans in Greensburg….You hang in there!
We are praying for you and helping anyway that we can!

from Hutchinson KS

# 26 BORTEL said, on October 8th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

HEY, MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE IS GONE, CAN ANYONE RELATE? OUR FAMILIES MUST HAVE BEEN PREPARED, LOOK AT HOW MANY DEATHS THERE WERE. HOW WOULD YOUR TOWN SURVIVE?

# 27 Kinkor said, on October 26th, 2007 at 7:49 pm

I live in Wichita. I didn’t know about the tornado until the next day, when I was riding with my dad out to where my Eagle Ceremony was going to be, since we were told to pay close attention to the weather because it looked like some major storms might fire up. I heard on the radio 75% of Greensburg destroyed. The percentage kept going up. Yet the casualties didn’t. I was amazed that such a disaster could happen, yet only, I believe, 6 people die from it. I didn’t personally go and see the damage, I wanted to, I wanted to go and help, but I just didn’t have the time to go and help. I love traveling through Greensburg though, great place to stop, refuel, rest, eat, everything like that, the people there are great.
But……when I read some of those comments up top, like one “So what? I can do this in Sim City.” This isn’t a game……this is real life, these are real peoples lives, and this isn’t just a town of like 5 people, this is a decent sized town. To another, who said they shouldn’t get help from the government………They deserve just as much help as New Orleans does, New Orleans is in an area that is prone to Hurricane’s, and they are below sea level…….something was bound to happen, just like a tornado was bound to hit Greensburg, just like a tornado is bound to hit my home, it just depends on if I am in my home when it gets hit. No one plans for this to happen, No one can see it coming. Then again, I don’t think I ever heard the people of Greensburg complaining that the government wasn’t helping them. From what I remember (I was gone all summer in South Carolina for some training.) they didn’t ask for it, they got themselves organized and did it themselves, they didn’t go around begging everyone to help them.
But in all honesty, I have never seen a natural disaster, I have never had to take a direct hit from one, so all I can say is, God bless you all. I am truly amazed how everyone in Greensburg handled this and I wish the best of luck in rebuilding, and I hope that sometime soon I can come by and help with whatever might be necessary helping.

# 28 Daniel said, on October 31st, 2007 at 7:15 pm

The first comments make me sick, then i read the longer comments posted by people who don’t have the head up there ass, My hat is off to those who know what they are talking about; the thing that no one is yet to say about Greensburg or that of the people in the midwest or tornado alley is; The difference between katrina and the tornado that hit ks is this; #1 the people in LA. had at least a week or more to leave, but no they had to stay and protect their belongs. Does anyone here know how long people in ks had? ………. 25 minutes. #2 the people along the coast knew for years that the leveis were bad and needed to be repaired, hell most of the buildings by the river were under the water line, People in Tornado alley know what they can do thats why they have basements, cellers, or rooms in the middle of the house that is reinforced. #3 finally what happen after it was all over; New orlens; what did they do they took advantage of the situation and looted and terrorised other people though out the city, not to mention firing at the national guard, And what did people in Greensburg do after it was all over and safe to come out; the checked on family and friends, then at first light they began the long process of rebuilding, See people who have had to work and go after what tey want or need don’t sit on their asses and wait for the government to do it for them, they know they can do it them selves and they can do a better job when they help themselves; New moto and tactic for natural disaters; Help those who can help themselves, rescure the ones who can’t, and ingore the ones who can help themselves and don’t

# 29 ddimoff said, on December 4th, 2007 at 6:39 pm

hey what the hell is wrong with you people, these people did nothing to piss off god and everyone lives in a n area where bad things can happen. i live in wicsonsin should i move because it snows, i dont think so, bad things happen to good people, and they do need government money, put yourselve in there shoes wouldnt you want help, before you all open your mouth think a little.

# 30 nearground0 said, on February 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

If pissing off God will get you destroyed, then here are a few people who posted here initially who should begin looking up, because obviously such ignorance and callous disregard for others is bound to piss off God. Duck, Jaegermaster and Joshua.

# 31 Ryan said, on May 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm

As for “smartalixs’” quote “Wheres the National Guard” comment… All I have to say is the 134th Air Control Squadron was there the next morning establishing communications and starting to organize the situation. Check your facts before you attempt to use this situation for your ignorant political soapbox.

# 32 A person said, on May 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Poor people…

I hope another diasaster like this won’t happen,
but things happen.

I hope all that are dead are mourned
well.

And the injured heal from the horrible tornado.

# 33 mostofyouarestupid said, on May 27th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

you are all fucking stupid. how dare you insult these poor people who lost everything including loved ones. put yourself in that situation and see how funny it is then! do you have children? imagine them being destroyed by a tornado. you don’t like that do you.

# 34 Kassimoe said, on June 14th, 2008 at 3:59 am

I feel bad for all of the people in Greensburg. I live in Iowa and so far my house hasn’t ever gotten hit by a tornado but I have been through lots of tornado sirens and if a tornado is close by it can be scary. Also to the people who say to build houses out of the way of tornadoes, that’s really hard to do because tornado don’t stay in a certain spot they can move anywhere.
On discovery channel there is a new show called Planet Green. It’s about rebuilding Greensburg into a “green” town. I saw and there is like nothing left and it’s sad.

# 35 kansan said, on June 19th, 2008 at 11:21 am

im appauled at the ignorance! you dont know if trailors were present in this town, i live an hour from greensburg and it was a beautiful town! what a shame you make fun of an event such as this where people lost their lives and loved ones, and everything they owned…gone with in minutes and no where to go. people with ignorance levels such of some of these posters should realize that this could happen to anyone, anywhere.

# 36 ......wow said, on June 24th, 2008 at 11:08 am

i am amazed at how foolish most of you sound. with the exception of the people from Kansas. for one thing, “you should not have built houses in the path of tornado’s. they shouldn’t get any help from the government” wow. never talk again kid. tornado’s DON’T HAVE PATHS. thats one reason why they are so dangerous, they can turn on a damn dime. when ever it so pleases. and as for the idea that its their fault for living in tornado alley? if we didn’t occupy tornado alley we would be only HALF the country we are now.tornado’s are completely unpredictable when they touch down. they go where-ever they please. I’ve seen one touchdown on a school, pick up, move over an apartment building w/o touching it, only to destroy another building on the other side. pick up a book sometime and learn something, fool.

so don’t blame us on not being prepared. WE KNOW how to deal with these storms. you don’t see us running around begging for help from the government. we are taking care or shit on our own and if anyone wants to help we will accept it. we don’t ask for handouts, so don’t make it seem like we do. on that note i personally appreciate any donations you have made in the past.

and NO kansas is not full of trailers. i am amazed at some of your arrogance. if you ever came down to kansas you would be treated with respect and courtesy; until, that is, you started talking like this. then we’d take you outside. i’m truly disgusted.

# 37 Another Kansan said, on October 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Wow… do you people realize what the crap you are saying? To username “…..wow”, thank you very much. Honestly. I grew up about an hour away from Greensburg. We have tornadoes all the time. And YES… they truly are unpredictable! There have been tornadoes in freakin Florida… they can come down anywhere!

I also had family that lived in Greensburg. Thank the Lord that none of them got hurt or died (but even if they did, they would be in a heck of a lot better place!). That was honestly one of the hardest things that I have ever experienced. God doesn’t hate Greensburg… things happen for a reason. This isn’t Heaven, people. It’s Earth where people’s sin has corrupted everything. This tornado was a testament of strength. And you know what? The people of Greensburg are still hopeful and building right back. Way to go, fellow Kansans!

# 38 yupp said, on October 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am

deep

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