Residents reinvent US town that was almost totally destroyed by tornado: 'People with a pioneer spirit'

Greensburg remains one of the greenest towns in the world, showing that positive transformation after a devastating tragedy is possible.

CBS Evening News shared an update on how well Greensburg is doing nearly two decades after a massive EF5 tornado destroyed 95% of the Kansas town in 2007.

Instead of rebuilding exactly what they lost, residents chose to create a green town powered entirely by more affordable energy. Today, the entire community runs on electricity from solar and wind power.

Although no one was required to follow this approach, residents fully embraced the vision of building a resilient, energy-efficient community.

Who chooses to live in Greensburg? “People with a pioneer spirit,” said Mayor Matt Christenson, according to CBS News.

Greensburg’s success shows how even small rural communities can benefit from more affordable energy. Switching to wind and solar cuts heat-trapping gases, reduces dependence on grids powered by dirty energy, and keeps local energy costs steady.

The town has increased electricity rates only once in the past 10 years — and it was just a half-cent per kilowatt-hour.

Other resilient, green communities are emerging around the world.

Babcock Ranch in Florida runs on 100% solar and kept power during Hurricane Ian. In Jamaica, an ecovillage group is building earthbag homes powered by solar and wind to withstand extreme weather.

These examples highlight how affordable energy solutions can create safer, stronger communities — something urgently needed as storms grow more severe with rising global temperatures, according to NASA.

People hoping to help transform their own communities can start small, such as installing solar panels or joining community solar programs.

Going solar can cut home energy costs to nearly zero. Tools like EnergySage help homeowners compare quotes from local installers and save up to $10,000. Solar power also makes running other efficient appliances, like heat pumps, cheaper. Mitsubishi Electric offers options to find a heat pump that fits any home and budget.

In Greensburg, the results are clear — communities built on resilience and cleaner, affordable energy show how tragedy can become hope.

“We are proud of our town,” said Dea Corns, a local resident who survived the tornado and helped rebuild.

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