Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 5, 2007

Tornado Destroys Much of Kansas Town
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1759982:A6F02AD83191E160834E2EBBCF959AEB9574F7DCC14957C0 At least 7 killed
and dozens more injured





A damaged Kwik Check convenience store is seen in downtown Greensburg,
Kansas early 5 May 2007

An emergency official in the Midwestern U.S. state of Kansas says the
tornado that devastated a small town Friday night is the most
significant emergency the state has dealt with in a long time.

At least seven people died and dozens were injured when a massive
twister raked across the town of Greensburg, which has about 1,600
residents. Witnesses said that 75 percent to 90 percent of the town
was destroyed.

Town officials ordered an evacuation, directing residents to three
emergency shelters in the area.  Rescue crews are trying to clear
streets and investigate damaged buildings, looking for survivors.

Weather experts and so-called "storm chasers" who filmed the tornado's
progress said the twister was extremely large, a kilometer or more in
width with wind speeds of at least 250 kilometers. 

Residents were alerted by warning sirens about 20 minutes before the
tornado hit, giving many people time to get to safety.  Electricity
and gas have been turned off to prevent fires and explosions, and
Kansas National Guard troops have been dispatched to the area to help
with security.

Experts say the tornado, and several other lesser ones, were generated
by a large storm system that moved through the state of Oklahoma
northeast through Kansas overnight.

The National Weather Service predicts more thunderstorms and severe
weather across the central United States Saturday.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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