apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

As a Kansas girl, I'm so proud not only that Greensburg is making it's way back, but that it is doing it with gusto. Way to make a horrible disaster into an opportunity to do things "right." And to think "Green"sburg.

I find great irony in the fact that the town is called "Greensburg" :o) That made me smile. But what I'm even happier about is the fact that they realize that because they are literally rebuilding from nothing, it is the perfect opportunity to set an example for being easy on the Earth. It will be an enlightening experience not only for the residents, their children, and those involved in the process, but for all of us who get to witness their comeback.

I'm so glad they're doing this!
When something so bad happens, you wonder if anything good will come out of this... This is it.
I'm glad the town is being rebuilt. Not only building it, but making it a Green town too! What better timing could we ask for.
Will be watching that show!

Although I agree that it is really fabulous what they are doing, their efforts seem slightly disjointed, or a little off the mark. The town was leveled by a tornado; the town rebuilds in a way that will help protect the environment. How about rebuilding in a way that will help protect their homes, lives and other property? Yes, I realize that sustainable leaving is indeed away of mitigating global warming, which should theoretically stave off some severe weather events that climate change would cause. HOWEVER, I want to know they are going to protect themselves! Let's hope every single home has built a safe room and has a reinforced garage.

I've lived in Kansas my whole life and I'm very proud of what they are doing. I'm glad they are staying and rebuilding. They are kind of showing everyone else what is possible.

Also Goldenspaceship: There isn't really a way to protect your property from a tornado. If a tornado hits your house it's gone. No matter what. In 1998 I had a tornado about a 1/4 of a mile from my house and we had no damage but I did see brick houses with steel i-beams going through the sides. I'm sure they will all have shelters to go though.

GoldenSaceShip: As a Kansas boy native myself (Hi design.is.good!) though I no longer live there, I realize not much above grade, other than a concrete bunker, is going to survive a major tornado, so building a "reinforced garage" really won't do much good. What IS common in the Midwest are basements, which CAN serve as a pretty decent "safe space" during the threat of a tornado.

That is so true: a direct hit of a tornado on your home, and and no amount of preparation will really save the home. Absolutely. A tornado sucks wind in from all around it, blowing past, through, and around nearby structures. Even if the tornado does not drop on a home, there could still be significant damage to the home. The garage door is a very large and weak spot on a house, and if the home is breached through that opening, there can be catastrophic damage, whereas those homes with stronger coverings like shutters, reinforcements, can really fair much better. I hope that y'all aren't suggesting that people don't strengthen their homes because with a direct hit, they will be leveled anyway...The chances of your home being a direct hit are low, but the chances of a high wind event in your region are still quite high indeed.

Daily Nuance: Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about: a concrete structure; a safe room.