No-one in our neighborhood was killed nor injured badly. One man was killed 8 blocks east of us and one serious injury happened 4 blocks directly east of us UPDATE!:- that person has passed away, see the Deaths section on the sidebar for info. Our house took a hard hit on the south and more west side, roof torn off(remember the inside was normal),all tall trees uprooted, fence ripped out, shed blown away. In front two cars crushed under 60 and 80 year old cottonwoods, all lawn furniture gone as well as more fence. People were running around screaming and yelling. One man was shutting off gas meters as the fumes were thick. We climbed through trees blocking us everywhere only to see we were even luckier than most. Our house was the second to be struck, it skipped the next one but then leveled everyone else for 32 homes.

All roads were blocked with trees and huge steel electrical poles in any direction. The only way into the neighborhood was from our street which my brother(he came straight over) and I cleared with our chainsaws, it would be over a week before crews could cut up the steel poles blocking the only other ways in. As soon as the road was opened traffic was nonstop, I was told it was backed up for 3 blocks. Our son and son-inlaw got out our bicycles to goto our daughters home a few blocks northeast from us(the path of the tornado, however they were untouched). After returning they said that 4-wheelers or even dirt bikes would of been of no use as they carried the bicycles over lots of downed trees. Helicopters were everywhere within minutes, cell phones were useless, search and rescue dogs were brought in.

Highway Patrol, Sherrifs Dept and KCK Police got to know us well for weeks because without ID you couldn`t enter(we all got tired of the constant-who are you?) but it was necessary. Two days later another storm was emerging in the afternoon. All of a sudden we had the HP and Sherrifs(lights and siren blaring) telling us to pack some clothes and get everyone ready for evacuation if the storm worsened as they couldn`t provide for our safety.

Power was out for 4 1/2 days and phone for 16. My brothers friends brought us a generator within nightfall and also brought electrical lines to power both of my side neighbors. All neighbors worked late into the night for days clearing what was necessary and are still clearing as of this writing 7 weeks later. Also "Johnny on the spots"(outhouses) appeared on every corner, real life. Looting was not rampant but was observed(scum will always be scum). The Red Cross, Salvation Army and people we had never met became our closest friends. At first we declined food but after days of exhaustion we didn`t want to cook nor clean dishes. Supplies such as gloves, rakes, shovels, thrash bags, water, tarps and food were brought in by everyone and given without any reserve. Neighbors would forgo their own cleaning to help a neighbor then that neighbor would be there helping you, that was very touching. After 6 weeks quiet finally came with removal of heavy equipment and trucks. Tornado Tails(weird stuff) can be found at the side for more details.

Before mentioning others that were detrimental for our well being I would like to say...

Thank The Lord and God Bless to all

At this point I would like to mention resources that came to us just because they cared with no fee or very little.

Salvation Army for food and water

Red Cross and Home Depot for Supplies

Kansas City Ks Fire Deptartment for supplies

SRB Construction for NO-contract, just a promise(PAID!)

Murphy and Sons Roofing(for quick rebuild)

Bakers Tow for vehicles

Attic Storage for truck and storage

FEMA for monetary relief

Sutherlands Lumber for discounts

MoKan Auto Parts for uninsured parts

The Leavenworth Road Association for not only us, but the Community

All the above can be contacted by emailing me and I`ll send you their number.