Greensburg Anniversary Weekend

[Mike Umscheid]

Believe it or not, the one-year anniversary of the Greensburg tornado is rapidly approaching. There will be a number of special events and activities going on Friday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 4th. On Saturday, there will be a 2 to 3 hour period devoted to weather and storm chasing presentations, displays, etc on the Greensburg tornado, including a presentation by the National Weather Service (probably given by yours truly).

The organizer of the events expressed strong interest in storm chasers coming out to take part, especially those who chased the Greensburg storm and/or helped out in response/recovery that night. If you would like to share your story that night in the form of a speech or presentation of some sort, I'm sure many of the Greensburg residents would love to hear it. At any rate, if you are interested in coming to Greensburg that weekend, you can find more information here. If nothing else, this will be a great opportunity for storm chasers to continue to provide a positive image to the community. If you would like to make a speech or presentation, you can contact Erica Goodman at 620-388-4638 or e-mail at [email protected]

Thanks!
Mike U

 

[Mickey Ptak]

The people I have talked with in Greensburg are wonderful, humble, and down-right good people. They are very thankful for the help they have gotten form outside of their town.

I am hoping to hear back form the organizers of the event so that we can sell some Storms of 2007 DVDs up there. We had a good turn out at the Pratt, KS showing which raised a good chuck of money that will be donated to Greensburg Greentown. And just for everyone’s information; 100% of the profits from the sales of all DVD’s now go to Greensburg Greentown and I hope that we can arrange it so that we can raise more money for Greentown

We have replicated DVD on order and we should have them just in time for the event!


Mick

 

[mark humpage]

I would so love to get back over to Greensburg for this. Personally me going over there last year was a truly humbling experience and what Mickey says is so on the nail - wonderful, humble, and down-right good people. The 'up from the ashes' book is a marvellous read in so many ways and I have nothing but utmost respect and honour for these guys.

It would really be nice for a non-US person to come and share these special few days anniversary. I'll have to see if its feasible from my end, but if I can't make it I hope all goes well.

Mark Humpage

 

[Bob Schafer]

The people I have talked with in Greensburg are wonderful, humble, and down-right good people.

If there's one thing I've learned from a decade of chasing, it is that that is overwhelmingly true all across The Alley, especially in the smaller towns and rural areas. It's part of the reason I am so delighted to have moved to southeast CO.

 

[Stuart Robinson]

If the weather pattern allows... I will drop by Greensburg over that weekend.

 

[David Schuttler]

Due to the publicity of this weekend event I wouldn't waste time on finding a motel in a nearby town.
I'm actually thinking of pitching a tent somewhere......

 

[Mike Umscheid]

Just one final reminder of the activities going on tomorrow in Greensburg. I will be giving a presentation on the weather from that night at two different times: once at 11am and again at 3pm or so. We (NWS Dodge City) will be stationed at the Brown Auction House which is on 900 Kansas Ave. in Greensburg. The afternoon session will be more meet & greet type of stuff. We will have a poster on display as well. Storm chasers are encouraged to come, especially those who were chasing the storm that night, and meet some of the Greensburg people. I have no idea how many people will be there, but it's obviously well-advertised, but at any rate, we hope to see some of you there tomorrow! -Mike U

 

[Bob Schafer]

I had no problem getting a room in DDC... at the Nendels Inn & Suites... $44/night... right near DDC NWSFO and airport... I've stayed here before... not a bad place, but WiFi not working tonight, and data card signal is weak and slow (roaming).

I spent about 3 hours in Greensburg this afternoon, after enduring the winds all day. At one point, I had to slow to about 40mph as dust reduced visibility to about 30 feet.

Anyway, there really weren't many peeps in Greensburg today. I bought a pretty good pizza at the brand new Hunts (?) pizza place on 400 at the east edge of town. They just opened today, and it's take-out only. Don't expect to find any place to eat any better than that there. Although, is there supposed to be any more picnics or anything in G-burg the next couple days? I was too late for today's picnic, but that was sort of intentional with the wind blowing the way it was. Who wants to attend a picnic with 50mph gusts?

A visit to the gift shop at the "Hand Dug Well" is mandatory. They have a bunch of great stuff there. I bought about 7 items totalling about $50, including t-shirt, 2 books, postcards, and a "swirl-it-up tornado" thingy. The well and shop is right under the water tower, which you can't miss. Bring cash or a check, because they currently aren't accepting credit cards. I think they are actually accepting anybody's checks, though, because of the credit card issue, except I didn't really read the sign too carefully.

Seems like any chasers there ought to rendevous. Make sure you're at Mike's presentation at 3!

Speaking of which, I stopped at the DDC NWSFO for a visit on my way back into town here. Cool to hang out with Mike and the other guys for a few minutes, and laugh at the balloon launch almost crashing into the WSR-88 in the stiff winds, LOL!

 

[Bob Schafer]

I spent most of today in Greensburg and took a few pictures. Mike's presentation was awesome... no surprise. The first two photos are the current temporary cover over the Hand Dug Well (You can look down from above) and a new sculpture nearby. I think the red ball used to be on top of the old Hand Dug Well gift shop building, or something:

The rest are from around the new water tower. The water tower was put into operation today following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. First pic shows the crowd, with a bunch of media, gathering for the ceremony:

The plaque is on the water tower's base:

 

[Bob Schafer]

Here are a few more pics from today:

The main reason all the bikers were there is because of the threat from looney tune Fred Phelps to show up. He didn't. They are the Patriot Guard Riders. http://www.patriotguard.org/

I also posted a vid for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG2JkCUJa4w

 

[Allan Detrich]

Some pics from Greensburg...

Our group MESO spent 4 hours in Greensburg today, quite a moving experience, since it was the first time back since the night it happened. We spent 6 hours there that night after a close call on 183 south. the photos from today can be seen HERE, and eventually on my website - Thanks...

 

[Dick McGowan]

For the 1 year anniversary, we uploaded our entire Greensburg footage online, divided into 4 parts, about 10 minutes per video (except for the first which is 7:30 or so). From when the storm was first tornado-warned near Sitka, to navigating north on 183 through the damage path and then inside the town shortly after the tornado hit. Thanks a bunch to Reed Timmer for putting these up for us.

Click here for Part I
Click here for Part II
Click here for Part III
Click here for Part IV

 

[Jason Boggs]

Guys, I commend you on a job well done. Your kindness to the residents after the tragic tornado will be remembered for a long time. That's the kind of image we need as chasers. Again, good job!