http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=6473329it updates, in case you are needing more information
The Latest in Brief:
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Nine people killed; eight in Kiowa County, one in Pratt County.
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Curfew in place in Greensburg. Anyone caught in the area after hours will be arrested.
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Those needing to find loved ones should call the Pratt County Red Cross (620) 672-3651 or visit disastersafe.redcross.org.
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Governor Kathleen Sebelius has declared a State of Disaster Emergency for Kiowa County.
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Shelters:
Barclay College
607 N. Kingman Street
Haviland
Haviland High School
300 N. Topeka
Haviland
St. John Oddfellow Lodge
700 W. 1st Street
Macksville
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Contributions may be sent to:
Midway-Kansas Chapter
American Red Cross
PO Box 3726
Wichita KS 67201
American Red Cross
PO Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
www.redcross.org
1-800-RED CROSS (en Espanol, 1-800-257-7575)
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL ARMY.
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FEMA Response
3 Trailers of Water - 3 Trailers of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat)
21,212 meals to feed about 1,500 people 3 meals per day for five days
One trailer of 2,500 blue tarps.
Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicle deployed. Vehicle acts as an Emergency Operation Center.
State officials will determine additional needs for federal assistance.
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Kansas Animal Disaster team recruiting veterinarians from across Kansas to help animals hurt in the tornado. Also looking for volunteers. Call (316) 990-4667
Updated: 4:28pm Sunday
Here are the latest information on patients being treated for injuries from the tornado in Greensburg.
Via Christi - Wichita
2 Critical
3 Fair
Wesley Medical Center - Wichita
2 Critical
3 Fair
Pratt Regional Medical Center
1 Serious
4 Fair
Western Plains Medical Complex - Dodge City
1 Good
Updated: 4:05pm Sunday
People wishing to help animals that have been injured or are homeless due to the Greensburg tornado can make monetary donations to:
Pratt County Humane Society
1402 West 1st St.
Pratt, KS 67124
Central Kansas Veterinary Center in South Hutchinson is also accepting donations for the Pratt Humane Society. Central Kansas is currently treating five of the displaced animals. The address of CKVC is:
Central Kansas Veterinary Center
515 W. Blanchard
South Hutchinson, KS 67505
Contributions are tax deductible.
Updated: 3:00pm Sunday
The Mullinville shelter is open for Greensburg tornado victims. Several local merchants are providing free food. Cots are available as well and hot showers. Several people have donated food, supplies, and clothing to storm victims.
Both Mullinville school buildings are open for families to stay.
For further information call the Red Cross at 620-548-2281, 620-548-2289, or 620-369-0063.
Updated: 2:26pm Sunday
United Way of the Plains announced that it has set up a Greensburg Disaster Fund to serve as a central collection point for anyone wishing to make a monetary contribution to help tornado victims in the Greensburg, Kansas area.
A disaster such as this requires the services of many organizations. United Way is setting up this fund to provide a vehicle for that help.
The United Way Greensburg Disaster Fund will distribute contributions to agencies that will be providing services to tornado victims. Donors should make checks payable to United Way Greensburg Disaster Fund, and mail to United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202.
Updated: 1:20pm Sunday
Authorities in Greensburg say they will begin letting people back into town Monday morning. They'll start letting people in at 8:00am. People must be out by 6:00pm.
Crews are working to restore utilities but a timetable for restoration of basic services is not known.
Updated: 12:26pm Sunday
The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Greensburg was an EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. A spokesman for the NWS office out of Dodge City estimates winds were near 205 miles-per-hour. The tornado was about a mile and a half wide.
This is the first EF-5 and the first F-5 under the previous scale since the tornado that hit Moore, OK in 1999. That storm system spawned the Haysville Tornado.
Updated: 10:45am Sunday
President Bush has declared Kiowa County a major disaster area, making federal aid available to individuals and communities affected by the storm. The president released the following statement:
"Our hearts are heavy for the loss of life in Greensburg, Kansas. A tornado devastated that community. It just basically wiped it out.
I spoke to the governor and Senator Pat Roberts about the extent of the devastation. They said to me, it's hard to describe how bad this community was hit.
I declared a major disaster for that community, and I hope that helps. It's going to take a long time for the community to recover. And so we will help in any way we can. 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. To the extent that we can help, we will. The most important thing now, though, is for our citizens to ask for the good Lord to comfort those who hurt."
Updated: 9:51 p.m.
A curfew is in effect for the town of Greensburg. It started at 8 p.m. after search an drescue was called off for th enight.
Authorities are concerned about looting, so they want to keep everyone out of the area. Police say anyone in town during the curfew will be arrested.
Updated: 8:00pm
From the Kansas National Guard:
Governor Kathleen Sebelius declared a State of Disaster Emergency for Kiowa County. The Adjutant General's Office reports 90% of the buildings in Greensburg have been destroyed.
"The outpouring of emergency response from state and local agencies and volunteers is just tremendous. We, as Kansans, are pulling together, as we always do in times of crisis and adversity and that's something we should all be proud of," Sebelius said.
The tornado was tracked through Comanche, Kiowa, Edwards, Stafford, Pratt and Barton Counties. Emergency management officials are getting damage estimates to access whether affected areas will qualify for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Eight storm-related deaths were reported in Kiowa County. One person was reported killed in Stafford County, but it has now been determined that person was from Pratt County. Early reports indicated the person was in Stafford County and was transported to Pratt County. Two other unconfirmed deaths have been reported.
The American Red Cross has established two shelters in Haviland. Approximately 300 people were sheltered during the night.
The Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross has set up a place where you can send help to those affected by Friday's tornadoes.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to:
Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross
PO Box 3726
Wichita, KS 67201
or
American Red Cross
PO Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. You can also call 1-800-REDCROSS or for Spanish speakers 1-800-257-7575.
The Salvation Army is establishing a donations center, a social services center and a distribution center in Haviland. They are requesting donations of cash only at this time. The Salvation Army has also established three canteens in Greensburg to feed storm victims and rescue workers.
Kansas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating response and recovery operations. Soldiers and airmen from the Kansas National Guard are assisting with security, communications and shelter missions. The Guardsmen are from the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, 891st Engineer Battalion and 184th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Control Squadron is supplying two 120 kW generators to assist in search and rescue operations and 1,500 gallons of water. Eighteen light sets from the 184th ARW have also been sent to Greensburg to provide light for response and recovery operations. The Pratt Kansas National Guard armory has been opened as a staging area for logistic support.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is also assisting with re-establishing communications and public safety issues.
The Kansas Department of Transportation has provided roadblocks and signage to keep out authorized persons from entering the area. KDOT is also involved in clearing debris from highways to so rescue vehicles can get into the affected areas. The State Fire Marshal is checking into any reported hazardous materials.
Wichita Search and Rescue has dispatched several teams to assist with search and rescue operations and Sedgwick County Public Health Emergency Team has been sent to the area with staff, consumable supplies and durable equipment, including two generators.
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger has contacted all major property insurance companies in Kansas. Claims agents will be making damage assessments as soon as it is deemed safe to return to the area, probably Monday.
Power outages have been reported throughout Kiowa and surrounding counties. Cell phones and land line communications were also severely impacted. The Kansas National Guard mobile incident command vehicle is on site, as well as the Kansas Department of Transportation communications-on-wheels vehicle and the Kansas Highway Patrol sent its command and communications vehicle to assist in restoration of communication systems. 911 communications have been restored by the KDOT vehicle.
Sedgwick County sent a search and rescue crew to the city to assist in evacuation efforts at the local hospital, which was damaged by the tornado. Approximately 30 people were rescued from the hospital with minor injuries. Emergency crews from surrounding counties are also assisting with medical response. Two quadrants have been searched and two are still being searched.
The City of Hutchinson sent four police officers, two patrol cars and three pick-up trucks with portable generators to Greensburg.
The Civil Air Patrol conducted several air reconnaissance flights to survey damages in coordination with flights by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Damage in Barton County included farm sheds, house windows and shingles. Major damage was reported to a field mill. Am oil pumping station was blown over and oil tanks blown to mile away. A Sheriff's Deputy reports that crude oil is leaking into a stream. Barton County Landfill manager has notified Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka and is in route with a representative from the Hays KDHE office.
Updated: 7:35pm
Eyewitness News reporter Megan Strader and her photographer were briefly ordered to the basement of the Greensburg Courthouse for their own safety. The order has since been lifted.
Updated 7:20pm
Eyewitness News crews and Storm Team 12 chasers are reporting tornadoes on the ground just south of Greensburg. The storm seem to be headed toward Haviland.
Updated 6:50pm
A possible tornado may be heading towards Greensburg as of 6:50 Saturday. A Tornado Warning has been issued. Eyewitness News crews are moving out of the path of the storm as are rescue personnel.
Everyone in the area is advised to take immediate cover if they are in the path of this storm. Go to the lowest level of your home and take cover in a center room. Put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE FOR ANY REASON.
Updated: 6:45pm
A portion of letter from KS congressional delegation to President Bush asking for federal aid:
"Mr. President, one of our Kansas communities was literally erased from the map last night. The residents of Greensburg and the surrounding area are in desperate need of assistance from local, state, and federal authorities. We urge you to take immediate action to request that all federal agencies provide any available assistance."
Updated: 6:25pm
A woman from Great Bend e-mailed the Eyewitness Newsroom saying she found a cancelled check in her yard. The check came from an address in Greensburg, some 80 miles away.
Updated: 6:00pm
From the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with state officials to identify needed federal assets and resources for deployment to the tornado affected areas in Kansas. FEMA Region VII has activated the Regional Response Coordination Center as a 24 hours operation, and is receiving briefings and incident updates from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management. In addition, a FEMA liaison has been deployed to the State Emergency Operations Center, and an Advance Team is en route to the impacted area.
"FEMA regrets the terrible loss of life this destructive act of nature left in its path," said Richard Hainje, FEMA Regional Administrator. "But we are ready to provide assistance to the state with their immediate emergency needs to bring comfort to the survivors."
In response to the deadly tornadoes that tracked through six counties in Kansas during the evening of May 4, FEMA is readying the following resources:
Three trailers of water - 48,600 liters to provide water for approximately 5,000 people Three trailers of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) - 21,212 meals to feed about 1,500 people three meals a day for five days One trailer of 2,500 blue tarps
FEMA will also deploy a Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicle, which acts as an emergency operation center. State officials will determine additional needs for federal assistance.
Updated: 2:11pm
The Kansas National Guard says the death toll from Friday's tornadoes now stands at nine. Eight people died in Kiowa County, one person died in Pratt county. There are no confirmed deaths in Stafford county.
Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, Congressmen Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran are in Greensburg getting a first hand look at the devastation. Governor Sebelius will tour the area on Sunday.
The Kansas Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to President Bush asking for a federal disaster declaration.
Updated: 12:50pm
Correction: The Stafford County Sheriff's Office says there are no fatalities that they know if in Stafford County. Authorities in Kiowa County had been reporting that a sheriff's deputy was killed by a tornado but that turns out not to be the case.
We're now told a Macksville police officer was hurt Friday night while working as a chaser. The sheriff's office says it appears his car was bit by a tornado and badly damaged. The officer is in extremely critical condition at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita.
Updated: 12:09pm
The Kansas Animal Disaster Team is rounding up veterinarians from around the state to help animals hurt in Greensburg. It is also looking for volunteers. To help out you can call (316) 990-4667.
Updated: 11:40am
The Veterinary Emergency and Speciality Hospital of Wichita says they can take up to eight injured animals. The address is 727 South Washington in Wichita. The number is (316) 262-5321.
Updated: 11:00am
The Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross has set up a place where you can send help to those affected by Friday's tornadoes.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to:
Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross
PO Box 3726
Wichita, KS 67201
or
American Red Cross
PO Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. You can also call 1-800-REDCROSS or for Spanish speakers 1-800-257-7575.
Updated: 10:40am
Authorities say the one confirmed death in Stafford County was a sheriff's deputy. At this point we do not know which department the deputy is from.
Authorities have divided Greensburg into four grid areas. Searchers have gone through each grid twice looking for people trapped or injured.
Authorities say no one was hurt when part of the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg collapsed.
Engineers and members of the National Weather Service are in Greensburg surveying the damage.
A command vehicle from the Kansas Highway Patrol is in Greensburg, along with one from the Kansas National Guard.
If you are worried about loved ones, you are asked to contact the Pratt County Red Cross at (620) 672-3651.
Updated: 10:10am
The governor's office has confirmed that seven people have died in Friday's tornadoes. Six of those in Kiowa County. Another person died in Stafford County.
Updated : 10:00am
The Salvation Army, Kansas and Western Missouri Division, is responding to Greensburg.
Salvation Army emergency disaster services teams are headed to the scene, along with two emergency disaster mobile feeding units (canteens). The canteens, from the Dodge City and Hutchinson Salvation Army corps community centers, are capable of feeding up to 2,000 people a day.
Dee Smith, emergency disaster services director for The Salvation Army, Kansas and Western Missouri division, said this morning, "Basically we're out there doing an assessment of the need and will provide the basic services for making sure that people have shelter, food, medicines and anything else that they might need. We will be in place to assist the community for as long as we are needed."
The Salvation Army will also have pastors on hand to provide spiritual comfort.
Anyone wishing to donate to The Salvation Army's emergency disaster relief efforts may do so by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Updated: 9:47am
Governor Sebelius' office is confirming that four people have died in Greensburg.
Greensburg city administrator Steve Hewitt said at least 50 people had been taken to area hospitals, 16 in critical condition, but precise numbers were not known.
Updated: 6:47 a.m.
Authorities are evacuating the town of Greensburg. People who are still in town are being told to get to one of the three shelters set up in Haviland and Macksville. According to Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt, people seeking information about loved ones should call (620) 672-3651.
Shelters:
Barclay College - 607 N. Kingman Street - Haviland
Haviland High School - 300 N Topeka - Haviland
St. John Oddfellow Lodge - 700 Blk. W. 1st Street. - Macksville
Authorities are asking people to stay off the roadways in that area to make room for emergency vehicles.
Updated: 6:39 a.m.
Authorities have set up a Regional Dispatch Center in Yoder. Since phone lines in Greensburg went down, phone companies have rerouted all emergency calls to the regional center.
This is the first time the center has being used. It was designed just for situations like these.
Right now, dispatchers from Reno County are manning the lines.
Updated: 5:07 a.m.
The National Weather Service reports one fatality and 63 injuries from Friday's tornado. The fatality, as we mentioned earlier, was at Western Plains Hospital in Dodge City. These numbers are preliminary and expected to change as more damage is assessed.
Updated: 4:19 a.m.
Via Christi Regional Medical Center tells us they have received two people in critical condition who were hurt in the Greensburg tornado. Two others are enroute to the hospital, but their conditions are unknown at this time.
Updated: 4:06 a.m.
Additional crews are being called in from all over to help recovery efforts. We've talked with officials in Barber County, Pratt County, Kingman County, as well as Medicine Lodge and Kiowa.
All of them are sending fire trucks and emergency crews to help out.
Updated: 3:33 a.m.
Haviland High School Superintendant says they're seeing a steady stream of people coming in on buses to the shelter they have set up. Some of the people have minor cuts and bruises. Several are talking about their own homes or neighbor's homes being damaged.
They are using school phones to call loved ones and getting food and water. The superintendant says, people are glad and relieved to see familiar faces.
Meanwhile, another shelter is set up in the high school gym in Mullinville. They've been open for a few hours, but no one has shown up just yet.
Eight pople are volunteering to help at that particular shelter. They've gathered food and drinks and blankets from around town to help out.
Updated: 3:18am
John Walker with the Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City has confirmed, there is at least one fatality from this tornado. They've received ten patients from the storm, one of them was pronounced dead at the hospital. Five suffered minor injuries, four are in critical condition.
Updated: 3:11 a.m.
Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita says, it's treating at one person with injuries from the severe weather out west. That person is in critical condition. Four others are being flown in for treatment, there's no word on their conditions.
Updated: 2:53 a.m.
We spoke with a representative with Pratt Hospital. They tell us they've seen 40-50 patients. They range in age from babies to the elderly. Their conditions range from minor to critical.
Some of those patients have been transferred to Wichita for treatment.
She tells us, things are slowing down, but they are close to capacity. They called in workers to help.
One problem they're having is getting victims in touch with loved ones. Phones are ringing off the hook with people searching for loved ones.
Eyewitness News Reporter Kim Wilhelm, who is on the scene in Greensburg, tells us she's seen several school buses evacuating people from the town.
Updated: 2:45 a.m.
The American Red Cross says it is setting up three shelters, two in Haviland for Greensburg and one in Macksville.
Barclay College - 607 N. Kingman Street - Haviland
Haviland High School - 300 N Topeka - Haviland
St. John Oddfellow Lodge - 700 Blk. W. 1st Street. - Macksville
The Red Cross expects as many as 350 people at the Haviland/Greensburg shelters. The Red Cross also has a "Disaster Safe" website set up. People can register their names stating that they are okay, then family members can check the website to see if their loved ones have registered themselves as "safe".
There's a link to the Disaster Safe website on the left side of this page.
Updated: 2:34 a.m.
Recovery efforts are underway after a massive tornado struck Greensburg Friday night. We've learned that the hospital has partially collapsed and people could be trapped inside. Power is out throughout the town and utility crews are trying to get things back on.
Eyewitness News Reporter Megan Strader from our Dodge City bureau is on the scene, she says there is major damage to the school and the hospital and other structures.
So far, there is no word on fatalities, though we've confirmed there are injuries.
Updated: 10:15pm Friday
The National Weather Service reports that Greensburg has taken a direct hit from a large wedge tornado. The tornado hit the town about 9:45pm Friday and moved to the northeast.
Emergency crews from Barber, Comanche, Ellis and Clark county are on the way or have arrived to help as are crews from Dodge City. Pratt Regional Medical Center tells us they are treating several patients who are in critical condition.
A Kansas National Guard mobile communications center is on its way to Greensburg. It will restore 911 service to the area. Sharon Watson with the Kansas National Guard says several people are missing or unaccounted for.
If you have family in Greensburg or surrounding areas, you are asked to try and contact local authorities.
There are widespread power outages. US-54 is closed eastbound into Greensburg to everyone except emergency personnel.
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