Kansas Tornado

[brodee]

As some of you know I'm from Kansas (been in TX about 8 years now). I had two cousins that lived in Greensburg. Got word finally that they and their families are OK but they lost everything. Both their homes and businesses. One owned an antique business and the other a body shop. They also had a storage building full of antiques and some old cars.

Keep the town and the people in your prayers. Looking at the damage I'm amazed more weren't killed. Those left have a hard time ahead trying to decide how to start their lives completely over.

[bmmf]

Wow there is seriously nothing left.

[AndrewBird]

And that's why I love living in Oregon.

Honestly, I don't understand why you would want to live where there was a possibility of this happening to you.

[brodee]

And that's why I love living in Oregon.

Honestly, I don't understand why you would want to live where there was a possibility of this happening to you.

And those of us in the midwest don't have to worry about earthquakes and falling off into the ocean. There are disasters everywhere.

My family has been in that area of Kansas since the 1700's. Lot of farming families around there wouldn't have anywhere else to go.

[318isbmw]

And those of us in the midwest don't have to worry about earthquakes and falling off into the ocean. There are disasters everywhere.

I've been thru 2 earthquakes living by Seattle in my entire life... I'd say there is more disaster's in the midwest, but more power to u and ur family for living there none the less cuz of family ties and heritage. Good luck to your family rebuilding.

[JasonC]

There will be a earthquake in the mid west with the New Madrid fault. But i don't think Kansas will feel it. I haven't watched TV lately so that is the first picture i seen of it and it looked like a big one.

[bimmer8604]

Kansas lies on one of the biggest faults around. We have earthquakes quite frequently, but are very minor. A few months ago there was a 3.X but nobody felt it heh.

Every place has disasters; earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, snow storms, and wild fires. People that live in the 'boonies' are there for a reason. As Thad said its mainly because their families have been there forever, and have ties in the farming community. I hate it when people that have never been to the midwest say things like "why would you live where there are tornadoes?" I guess I always return with "why would you live where gangs are fighting, people are being shot, nobody has jobs, and the traffic is horrible?"

That is a huge disaster, but midwest folk are strong, and they'll rebuild and be happy! It's amazing the grain elevators are still standing as they are the biggest parts of those cities. Oh yea, Greensburg has the largest Hand-Dug Well at over 100ft deep and 30ft across...awesome shit!

man, i miss living back home:-/

Kyle

edit: Looks like their meteorite is missing, too: http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=6475789

[AndrewBird]

Where I live, I might have to deal with a snow storm, but there hasn't been a SERIOUS snow storm here in 30+ years. We have forest fires around here, but I live in the city.

Yes, everywhere has disasters, but why live in a place that you KNOW will have a disaster? Atleast with California, there MIGHT be an earthquake that will kill everyone, but it's not like they expect several every year.

All this said, I still feel sorry for all of those affected by the tornado. It really is something that would change your entire life.

Thing is also, most of those people have insurance to cover these types of things, so much of it can be replaced.

[Firestorm]

wow. that really blows. (pun LOL)

[brodee]

Yes, everywhere has disasters, but why live in a place that you KNOW will have a disaster? Atleast with California, there MIGHT be an earthquake that will kill everyone, but it's not like they expect several every year.

Thing is also, most of those people have insurance to cover these types of things, so much of it can be replaced.

I lived in Kansas for 28 years and was never in a tornado. It's not like you ARE going to be hit living there. I think people just think tornados are flying around and wiping things out on a daily basis there or something.

As for insurance I don't think you understand the magnitude of what happened with this one. Greensburg is fairly self supporting, meaning most of the people that live there work there too. When this happened it wiped out the homes and the businesses. Even if they rebuild their houses they won't have jobs until and if the businesses are rebuilt, how long could you go without your job and a place to live? It could literally end the town.

If this is a place you live and work and all of your friends are there how do you just say "oh, I'll move somewhere else now". I think it's a very naive view.

I wasn't looking to start a fight over where the best place to live is or why people live where they do that choices we all make. I'm sure Oregon is very nice and beautiful.

[Jscotty]

I hate it when people that have never been to the midwest say things like "why would you live where there are tornadoes?" I guess I always return with "why would you live where gangs are fighting, people are being shot, nobody has jobs, and the traffic is horrible?"
Kyle

I get that all of the time too but right here in my local area. I live on the side of town that is thought to be the place where more crime and violence exists and when I meet people from the opposite end of town and tell them where I live, they give me strange looks and ask, "Why do you live over THERE? Golly! I would NEVER live over there! Whats wrong with you? Everyone should live on our side of town!"

In all actuality I live in relatively safe area where there is much less traffic congestion and a significantly lower cost of living. I don't have to wear a bullet proof vest or nail down my lawn furniture.. heck I don't even have bars on my windows. But my collegues think that I am living in Beiruit.

All that to say that I can somewhat understand why people move back to known disaster areas storm after storm and why they choose to live where bad things can and do happen.

[Jon325i]

It is unfortuate what happened to all the effected people by that tornado in Greensberg....it just goes to show you that you cannot underestimate the force of nature. Now as for disasters depending on where you live, here's something to consider (and why I like living on the left coast)...

In the midwest, gulf coast and eastern seaboard, you have your hurricane and tornado seasons.

In California, we don't have earthquake season....the ground may shake voilently and eff things up royally, but that happens once every several years - or in some cases, several decades. The number of natural disasters out here is waaay less then what other parts of the country are prone to on an annual basis.

About the only annual disaster you can bank out here is the occassional forest fire.

Jon

[bimmer8604]

i wonder how many people are killed annually in cali, or hell, LA county by gunshot or other acts of violence versus how many people are killed in the Midwest by Tornadoes. just a thought. Granted there are way more people in LA county than there are in the whole state of Kansas, so I'll include the surrounding states. And remember, people live in these places by choice.

kyle

Edit: did some research, interesting stuff.

From LAPD website, 2006 homicides: 160
(http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/cityprof.pdf)

From NOAA website, 2006 # of deaths from tornadoes: 66 (none in KS btw)
(http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/torn/2006deadlytorn.html)

[Jon325i]

i wonder how many people are killed annually in cali, or hell, LA county by gunshot or other acts of violence versus how many people are killed in the Midwest by Tornado's. just a thought. Granted there are way more people in LA county than there are in the whole state of Kansas, so I'll include the surrounding states. And remember, people live in these places by choice.

kyle

Good point, but I'm just referencing natural disasters - not unnatural disasters (crime, politicians, mandating hybrid cars, etc.). In California, we are king when it comes to the disasters of the unnatural kind :-P

Jon

[bimmer8604]

Good point, but I'm just referencing natural disasters - not unnatural disasters (crime, politicians, mandating hybrid cars, etc.). In California, we are king when it comes to the disasters of the unnatural kind :-P

Jon

I totally understand, I just thought it would be kind of interesting to do a comparison, i get asked these questions all the time about 'livin in Kansa`'

Can't beat the Cali weather, but the midwest has awesome weather, too. I like seeing all 4 seasons!(But I think I like the beach better)

kyle