Suppose 80% of Staunton were to disappear in the wake of a tornado? The Clock Tower, City Hall, Augusta Courthouse, Bistro, Trinity Church, St. Francis Catholic Church, public library, doctors' offices, parking decks, Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Memorial Baptist Church, Lee High School, Gypsy Hill Park gazebo, the Armoy ... all destroyed. The funeral homes, Staunton News Leader office, Community Bank, Rask Florist, Domino's Pizza, the historic train station, Sunspots, Baja Bean ... gone.
Suppose car dealerships had vehicles tossed about like toy cars, Rule Honda campers crushed, Shenandoah Harley-Davidson Shop left in ruins, Staunton Mall in shambles, the walls of Wal-Mart and Lowe's torn away and the merchandise scattered for miles around.
What if a tornado hit homes ... historic homes, homes lining Gypsy Hill Park, new housing, apartments, condos ... all destroyed or heavily damaged ... and residents were prevented from entering to check on their houses by emergency officials.
That is what happened to Chapman, Kansas, overnight when a twister hit and destroyed 80% of the town. The destruction is almost unbelievable as news crews ride through the streets and record the damage. Two were killed. Warnings were sent out which allowed residents to take cover and may have prevented more fatalities.
It is almost impossible to imagine such destruction....
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