I have often said Mother Nature is a BITCH and she is, her latest act has been a devastating tornado in Kansas, last time I saw the news 12 had died from it and they were still searching.
From Reuters:
OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (Reuters) - Rescue crews on Sunday combed piles of debris where homes and businesses once stood in Greensburg, Kansas, in a meticulous search for survivors of a killer tornado.
For those that are fortunate enough to have never witnessed a tornado and the destruction that it leaves in its wake, devastating is an understatement.
I was living in Jackson TN when a number of tornadoes, one of which an F-5, completely destroyed most of the downtown area as well as large parts of the whole town and the destruction cannot be described.
Our prayers are with the people of Kansas as they work to recover from this.
Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for Kansas
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on May 4, 2007, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Kiowa County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Kiowa County.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael L. Karl as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said that damage surveys have been scheduled and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.
FEMA said that those who sustained losses in the counties designated for aid to affected individuals and business owners can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday thru Sunday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
The President's remarks on this tragedy:
THE PRESIDENT: Our hearts are heavy for the loss of life in Greensburg, Kansas. A tornado devastated that community. It just basically wiped it out.
I spoke to the governor and Senator Pat Roberts about the extent of the devastation. They said to me, it's hard to describe how bad this community was hit.
I declared a major disaster for that community, and I hope that helps. It's going to take a long time for the community to recover. And so we will help in any way we can. There's a certain spirit in the Midwest of our country, a pioneer spirit that still exists, and I'm confident this community will be rebuilt. To the extent that we can help, we will. The most important thing now, though, is for our citizens to ask for the good Lord to comfort those who hurt.
Thank you very much.
The Red Cross is also helping the people affected by this:
American Red Cross responding to Midwest Tornadoes
More than 400 men, women and children in Red Cross Shelters
Please considering going to the Red Cross Donate page and helping them help the victims.
We are a great Country that comes together in a time of tragedy, so lets all try to do our part to help those that need it so badly right now.
[Update] How low can liberals go? Try using a massive devastating tornado destroying parts of a state for a "political" point that is instantly shown for the lie it is..
Headline from AP reads "Iraq War Hampers Kansas Cleanup" says the Democratic Governor.
The truth can be found at the DoD:
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2007 – More than 300 members of the Kansas National Guard have been activated in response to a powerful tornado that almost destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kan., May 4.
Guard members are assisting in search-and-rescue efforts in the wake of the tornado, which was classified as an F-5, the highest rating given by the National Weather Service.
The tornado wiped out much of the small town, knocking out power, water, natural gas and communications. To date, 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported.
The Kansas National Guard’s 278th Sustainment Brigade has established a joint task force near the incident site. In addition to search-and-rescue efforts, the troops are working on power generation, logistical support, debris clearing, support to law enforcement, supporting establishment of shelters and distribution of food and water.
Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.
The National Guard Bureau has offered liaison, operational, communications, contracting, search-and-rescue, public affairs and community relations support, and is prepared to support the governor in any way possible, Noller said.
The National Guard also has been activated in response to other severe weather in the Midwest. In South Dakota, 27 Guardsmen were activated in response to severe storms that moved through the region yesterday, destroying high voltage transmission lines and power poles and leaving several thousand customers without electricity. The Guard troops are transporting water pumps and generators and providing sandbags to prevent flooding.
In response to heavy rainfall last night and today, the Iowa National Guard deployed 47 troops in support of local authorities to assist in sandbagging operations in the city of Red Oak, Iowa. Iowa National Guard troops worked with civilian first responders moving sand, filling sand bags and building temporary dams to mitigate the effects of the rising waters.
I asked how low will the Dems go? That answers that. To try to politicize a tragedy of this magnitude is simply disgusting and she should be ashamed of herself.
Then again, their supporters don't care about the truth and will herald that headline as if it were true anyway.
[Update] Hahahaha, told you some of the idiot, liberal, left would swallow it, hook, line and sinker!!!!
Is it any surprise that they don't even bother to look for the truth before letting their Bush Derangement Syndrome overcome basic common sense?
Very simple to find this information, only takes a second AND a brain.
So, to repeat:
Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.
Idiots, I swear. Lazy, incompetent idiots.
AP says jump and they all scream, HOW HIGH????
Good little lapdogs aren't they?
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