GREENSBURG — Three years ago today, one of the most powerful tornados in recent history smashed into Greensburg, killing 11 people, injuring 63, causing $250 million in damage and turning 95 percent of the city into splintered wood and debris. The tornado, rated at an EF-5, at the top of the Fujita Scale for tornados, was more than a mile and a half to two miles wide and virtually wiped Greensburg off the map. State climatologist Mary Knapp, Kansas State University, said the tornado was unusual and not just for its monstrous power. Tornaoes normally follow a straight track northeast, but the Greensburg tornado meandered across Comanche and Kiowa counties, shifting directions among northeast, north and northwest and at one point, moved in a loop near Greensburg, she said. When Franklin County emergency management director Alan Radcliffe was asked to help coordinate disaster efforts at Greensburg, he found a situation near chaos. Not only was much of the town and Kiowa County heavily damaged, his team had to deal with a railroad car and a farm tank leaking anhydrous ammonia, as well as inventory and deal with the damage. Radcliffe and a state team ramrodded rescue efforts until local authorities could take care of their own families and then could take over the relief efforts.
Tuesday, May 4, 2:30 p.m.
