[Martin]

The numbers reported below will most likely go higher.



http://www.ksn.com/news/local/7347641.html

Tornado moves through central Kansas
GREENSBURG, Kansas, May 5, 2007 – A strong storm system moved through central Kansas last night spinning off several tornados and causing extensive damage in Macksville, Trousdale, St. John and Claflin.

Reports on the ground indicate that 50 percent of Greensburg has suffered extensive damage with the downtown area "wiped out," according to witnesses. A storm spotter sent KSN a lightning-backlit photo of the tornado.

We talked with one eyewitness on the phone who was in Greensburg just after the storm.

"We had to take a back road to get into town," she said. "It's gone. There's nothing left."

Early Saturday morning it was announced that the entire town of Greensburg was to be evacuated. Authorities report they are going door-to-door searching for survivors. So far, there have been seven fatalities reported and more than 60 injuries with casualties being transported to hospitals as far away as Wichita.

After Greensburg, the storm continued through Macksville in Stafford County, and then continued to St. John where reports came in of 80 mph winds and damage.

The storm later moved into Barton and Rice counties causing some minor damage between Ellinwood and Great Bend before moving into Claflin. Reports there indicate the city has sustained damage with missing roofs along with downed power lines and trees.

FATALITIES/INJURIES

*Seven people confirmed dead.

Fifty people have been taken to hospitals in Pratt and Dodge:
-16 critical
-17 stable
-17 unstable

We're getting reports now that 28 residents of the Carriage House retirement home weathered the storm. All residents are said to be okay, but are relocating to Lakepoint facilities in Augusta, Rose Hill and Wichita. Relatives can call (316) 775-6333 for more information.

SHELTERS

Greensburg originally set up a shelter at Barclay College, but it became so crowded they have been moving those people to a shelter at Haviland High School.

The Macksville shelter set up at St. John Oddfellow Lodge at 700 West 1st St. has been closed due to lack of residents. Those rescue efforts have been moved to Haviland to help with the shelter there.

Another shelter has been set up at the Mullinville High School in Mullinville.

The American Red Cross in Pratt has a phone number that people can call who are concerned about their loved ones. That number is (620) 672-3651. The Red Cross is asking those who can to log into their disaster website and sign in at http://disastersafe.redcross.org.

Anyone wishing to donate to The Salvation Army's emergency disaster-relief efforts may do so by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

AERIAL SURVEY

KSN photographer Joe High went up to get aerial shots of the destruction. He gave us a brief description of what he saw. These are, of course, unofficial evaluations.

Truesdale: Numerous irrigation line damaged.

Macksville: Some building damage and trees down. Overall, the town looks pretty good.

St. John: It appears the funnel skipped over the town. However, there was some damage due to straight-line winds, but it's fairly minimal.

Ellinwood: Not much damage.

Claflin: A fueling station has been destroyed. Power lines are down and poles were snapped. A silo was also knocked over during the storm and is currently blocking traffic. The Kansas Highway Patrol is trying to handle that situation, but if you don't have to drive through Claflin, please find an alternate route.

KSN will continue to break in throughout the day to update everyone on this situation.