Surviving an EF5 Tornado: One Family's Story in Pictures

Gamble Farms: Greensburg, Kansas

Kim, Ki, Kasey and Katelynn Gamble along with Kim's sister Melanie Brant and her husband and kids all rode out the tornado in Kim's storm shelter on their farm just North of Greensburg. I am trying to help them, but I have been asked by many to share pictures. This is the beginning. I'll update when I have time, but the first priority is helping people salvage what they can. No official is allowed to help, so citizens must help each other to quickly recover what they can salvage.

New pictures posted for June 14 and June 24, 2007: Scroll to the bottom and you can view some of the latest pictures both in the town of Greensburg and at the Gamble's. This is about half of the pictures that I have, but it gives you a good idea of the progress being made. I saw an article yesterday that talked about FEMA land, but there were no pictures of it. As always, even if there was, you wouldn't believe it unless you saw it. And even then, if you don't know what it looked like before, I am not sure if you can truly understand. Even to Kim who is living it daily, it is still hard to believe.

Sunday, May 6, 2007 - Tornado happened Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday brought more storms (another tornado 2 miles south of Greensburg), shock, chaos.

Monday, May 7, 2007 - First day anyone is allowed in the town of Greensburg. This is overwhelming and the pictures don't convey the smell, the emotions, or the experience. People begin to salvage what they can. Pictures found are really treasures.

Tuesday, May 7, 2007 - The cleanup is in full force. Kim, Paula Stout, and I start a text messaging service for Greensburg Residents to help communicate. They have no tv, no Internet, no newspapers.
Paula's pictures for Tuesday, May 8:
http://memory2motion.com/photos_20070508_greensburg/

Thursday, May 8, 2007 - Today, the kids and some parents go to the league JR High Track Meet in Jetmore. Patty holds down command central as text messaging has over 100 subscribers and our best day yet. Our story is posted in the Wichita Eagle. I return for an evening with my kids - one school concert and Matthew is rained out of racing at 81 Speedway. A funnel is spotted in Wellington. We are all a bit touchy with the weather.

 

Friday, May 9, 2007: Ha - Just realized my dates are all messed up. Tornado brain! Time has no meaning right now.

Friday, May 11, 2007 - Friday is the big start of cleanup. HS Track team competes. Kirstie Alley sets up a tent of donations and sees the track team off to their meet. The Town Meeting is held today.
Saturday, May 12, 2007- Saturday finds that a lot of heavy equipment has arrived. A friend of ours brings a high loader to help the Gambles and they clear two buildings and a lot in a day.
Sunday, May 13, 2007 - Mother's Day, Church Service, and "when the cow falls in the well" you get back to work, even on Sunday. Clean up continues.
Personal written notes.

Personal Notes:
Sunday, May 27, 2007 - Personal note from Kim

Wondering where to donate? Consider Greensburg Future Fund. See details.

Read about our text-messaging service set up for Greensburg Residents.

Monday, May 28, 2007 - Memorial Day - a fitting day for remembrance of loved ones and things that were. Posted are some pictures developed from Kim's film camera.
June 14 Developed Prints - Kim has given me rolls of film which include pre- and post-tornado pictures. When you pick up a batch of processed film, there is a mix of events and you will see that reflected in this grouping of pictures.
Friday, June 29, 2007 - Wheat harvest has begun. Recovery efforts continue and I wish I had time to put before and after pictures together because the progress really is amazing! FEMA land is growing fast.
Saturday, June 30 2007 - One fire on a combine, one plugged up combine, two pivots down on the corn, two runs to the parts store, two baseball games rained out in same day, one hail storm, and one ten-minute conference call with Barack Obama - just a typical day in Greensburg!