The 2007 EF5 tornado damaged or destroyed 95 percent of Greensburg, Kansas.
The tornado struck on May 4, 2007, during a major severe-weather outbreak across the central United States. It entered Greensburg after widening dramatically, devastating homes, businesses, schools and public buildings. Although a few structures survived, the damage was widespread enough that nearly the entire city required recovery or rebuilding work.
The storm was rated EF5, the highest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale. It was the first tornado in the United States to receive an EF5 rating after the original Fujita scale was replaced in February 2007. The tornado traveled about 28.8 miles, reached a peak width of roughly 1.7 miles near Greensburg and caused 10 to 13 deaths and 63 injuries.
Greensburg became known for its ambitious recovery. The rebuilt community pursued sustainable design, including LEED-certified buildings and wind-energy projects, leading to its nickname as a “green” town. The 95-percent figure describes the city’s overall damage, not the claim that every single building was destroyed.