Tragedy To Triumph: Greensburg Rising

The Early Show Helps Rebuild Kansas Town Decimated By Huge Twister

(CBS)  May 4, 2007. 9:45 p.m. A massive tornado sets down in the tiny town of Greensburg, Kan., population 1,500, virtually wiping it off the map.

Eleven people are killed and more than 50 injured.

Ninety-five percent of Greensburg is leveled. Entire buildings are reduced to rubble, including two schools, two churches and a hospital. Eighty-five percent of the town's residents are left homeless.

It is an F-5 twister, the worst kind there is -- but it winds up bringing out the best in the townsfolk, who won't let the obliteration suppress their determination and spirit.

Now, those ordinary people are doing something quite extraordinary.

Courageous residents are rebuilding, and in a new way. Greensburg is on a crusade to go green, and build the most environmentally-friendly town in the nation.

All next week, The Early Show will be there to help with the reconstruction. We'll chronicle it in our series, "Tragedy To Triumph: Greensburg Rising."

Locals will never forget the night the giant funnel descended on their town.

"It happened so fast," one says, "we just held onto each for dear life. We wasn't going to lose one of us."

When the sounds of howling winds, snapping wood and exploding gas lines died down, the only thing remaining was a scene of utter devastation. It looked like a war zone.

Tornadoes are nothign new to Greensburg. Eight have hit since 1993 -- but none like last May's.

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Early Show anchors, staffers and volunteers will head to Greensburg, in the nation’s heartland, to roll up their sleeves and help residents build an eco-friendly playground.

The town's residents are celebrating their progress with groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church, a business complex, and a ribbon-cutting for the water tower and arts center. The festivities will include a visit from President Bush, who'll be the commencement speaker at Greensburg High School’s May 4 graduation ceremony.

Our special series, “Tragedy to Triumph: Greensburg Rising” will tell the stories of the town, from homeowners to local business owners to the first responders to the high school basketball team that won the state championship this year for the first time in 30 years.

In addition to the playground, eco-friendly donations will be gathered on our plaza at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, beginning Saturday, April 26.

We'll be working alongside a team from Planet Green, which launches on June 4, and with Pilgrim Television and Films. The 13-part Planet Green series "Greensburg" premieres Sunday, June 15. The series is co-produced by Planet Green, Pilgrim, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way. Planet Green is Discovery Communications’ global, cross-company initiative with a commitment to document, preserve and celebrate the planet, including the 24-hour television network in more than 50 million homes.

To make donations from wherever you are, click here or here.

On Saturday, volunteers in our plaza helped load the first of many trucks that will head for Greensburg -- this one with toys donated by our neighbor on the plaza, FAO Schwarz, whose CEO, Ed Schmults, is a "green" devotee. Among the volunteers, members of Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit "working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities."

To see the sendoff, click here.

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Companies donating their time and materials to our efforts include:

BNIM Architects
KomPan Playground Equipment (www.kompan.com)
John Deere BTI Dealership
John Deere Landscapes
Hastco Construction
Grass Roots NLS
White Lawn & Landscape
PG Playground
Pueblo Concrete
Bruce Davis Concrete
Henry Dick Digging
Wichita Concrete & Pipe
Bob & Ruth Ann Wedel
Greenleaf Ranch
R-Quip
Heft Concrete
Kansas State Landscape Architecture Dept.
Greensburg Volunteers

[grannymary69]

I was raised in Pratt, KS (about 30 miles east of Greensburg) and had family who lived there. The town has always been special to my family. Please don''t forget to mention the BIG WELL and the meteorite, and how they are going to be brought back. I am SO PROUD to say I am a Kansan when I see what they have done there without waiting to be done for. My brother was involved in the emergency utilities repairs and I know he was pleased to be able to help our neighbors. I have approx. 425 pictures he took there the first day or two and then a month later. One other thing I would like for the world to notice is - there is NO trash just sitting around - the people have cleaned up the debris as best they could and are getting on with their lives. Give Greensburg FOUR years and see where they are!!!!!!!!! Our pioneer spirit as Pres. Bush mentioned is alive and well and gleaming in Greensburg. You should also mention that the farmers of the area were the first in to Greensburg to start moving debris to allow rescue work and repairs. Ask someone who cleaned the streets off so emergency personnel could get in!!!!!!!!!!!! God Blessed and is Blessing Greensburg and they know who is watching over them.

[grannymary69]

You showed on your Friday episode of a community Greensburg donated to following their tornado. The "pay-it-forward" attitude extended to Greensburg when the town of Lamar, MO sent donations to Greensburg. Lamar and several surrounding towns had just gone through a tornado and its destruction, so they felt connected to Greensburg. There were donation jars and sites all over the area to help Greensburg survive. I am PROUD to be a Pratt, KS hometown person and a transplant to Missouri and this area. Greensburg is showing the country and the world what it means to be resilient and neighbors. Thanks for displaying this town!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nettiepie]

Debbiehe: I hope I wasn''t misunderstood about the bball accomplishment. I didn''t mean the trip to state was minor. I think it was terrific. Especially under the circumstances. I meant that the reporter''s error was probably minor in comparison to all they''re trying to report on this week. The basketball team as well as the other athletic teams were cheered on by the whole state. When we see other teams giving half-hearted effort, the Greensburg team''s courage was an inspiration to more people than they will ever realize.

[bluelion38]

I am a resident of a small town located in Northern CA, and a member of our local Lions Club, Loma Rica Foothill Lions. I am proud to be the chairperson for a benefit blues festival hosted by our Lions club and held annually to help raise money for those that have endured/survived a disaster. This year we have selected Greensburg Kansas as our monetary recipient. Our Lions Club is committed to long term support for disaster survivors. And, to assure that the funds raised get to the people who need it the most, we send our donations directly to Lions clubs in or near the disaster area for distribution. The Foothill Blues festival has made it possible for us to help families smile, and have a little hope for the future. Our festival receives support from all over several states, with musicians, businesses and volunteers donating their time and equipment, some traveling for the cost of fuel just to play the blues and help raise money to donate. As you visit Greensburg, many of you will meet the wonderful members of the Greensburg Lions club. Please let hem know how special they are and what great things Lions do for their communities and others. We, the Loma Rica Foothill Lions continue to keep Greensburg in our hearts and prayers. If interested in learning more about our local Lions fundraising efforts for Greensburg, please visit www.foothillblues.com

[bluelion38]

I am a resident of a small town located in Northern CA, and a member of our local Lions Club, Loma Rica Foothill Lions. I am proud to be the chairperson for a benefit blues festival hosted by our Lions club and held annually to help raise money for those that have endured/survived a disaster. This year we have selected Greensburg Kansas as our monetary recipient. Our Lions Club is committed to long term support for disaster survivors. And, to assure that the funds raised get to the people who need it the most, we send our donations directly to Lions clubs in or near the disaster area for distribution. The Foothill Blues festival has made it possible for us to help families smile, and have a little hope for the future. Our festival receives support from all over several states, with musicians, businesses and volunteers donating their time and equipment, some traveling for the cost of fuel just to play the blues and help raise money to donate. As you visit Greensburg, many of you will meet the wonderful members of the Greensburg Lions club. Please let hem know how special they are and what great things Lions do for their communities and others. We, the Loma Rica Foothill Lions continue to keep Greensburg in our hearts and prayers. If interested in learning more about our local Lions fundraising efforts for Greensburg, please visit www.foothillblues.com

[kansan6]

Kansan11... I''m confused by your comment. The county, as I understand it, has committed to rebuilding all of its large structures (five buildings?) to the Platinum LEED standard.

After having worked directly with the county and seeing their plans first-hand at the Resource Conference earlier this year, I think it''s fair to conclude the county is playing a crucial role in the greening of Greensburg.

[kansan11]

The City of Greensburg is doing an amazing job in the reconstruction of the town. The city leaders should be very proud that they have chosen to build the town back the right way. Too bad the county leaders wont follow in the foot steps of the city as they could be as progressive. Not sure but heard that the city leaders are young and open to new ideas. If that is true that is most likley the reason the city is so progressive. Good luck to you all. The world is watching.

[justinbrokar]

This is really amazing that the Early Show will be in Greensburg!! I watch the Early Show every morning at 7AM before leaving for school. I''m a Senior at Greensburg High School and plan to help CBS next week.

[debbiehe]

Greensburg boys did not win state but they went to State for the first time in 30 years. To the boys that was an accomplishment and they were thrilled to be there. You have to understand what these kids have been through in the last year. They have gone to school in trailers, practiced and had games in other gyms. Greensburg looks devastated still unless you live here. If you live here, you can see changes happening every day! I am proud to say I am a Greensburg resident.

[nettiepie]

Yeah, I''m real sure that Greensburg boys basketball did NOT win state this year. They went to state and got beat out first round. Not to belittle their accomplishments at all, they did great with their temporary facilities and a lot of courage. And it''s minor in contrast to everything that''s going on there. Just a mistake on the part of the CBS reporter. Might want to get the facts straight before you feature that in a your special report! This year''s state basketball results are on KSHSAA.org

[kansan6]

I think it''s great that CBS is bringing national attention back to the Greensburg and Kiowa County community, because they desperately need it! Recovery on that scale doesn''t happen in a year.

I''m in Greensburg quite often helping out with various things. While there''s been a lot of press attention on certain initiatives, there are a variety of projects that haven''t received much press attention at all, which is a shame, particularly when it comes to some of the Kiowa County projects... rebuilding the hospital, fire station, library, historical museum, etc. And there has been some talk about building a community media center, which I think CBS would be interested in exploring.

CBS, while you''re in Greensburg all week, how about telling the stories about some of these other lesser-known but hugely-important initiatives?