2003 Severe Weather Events Page 1

This Page is currently under construction please check back soon for more photos, and video clips

May 4, 2003 My brother, David Reames, and I were chasing that day. My target zone was Southeastern Kansas. My equipment was very limited at the time, no XM, no mobile internet, no GPS, and very limited knowledge of what to discern visually. When we arrived west of Parsons, KS...I witnessed the most incredible RFD (rear flank downdraft) that I have ever seen, even to this day (writing this in 2007). We stopped along the road and watched as this incredible storm system passed and then cut through county roads to the north. There were multiple storms popping up that day, impressive looking storms. I followed that system and then decided to turn around and intercept a storm that was coming up from my Southeast...I no sooner got the car turned around when we started getting blasted with incredible inflow winds into the storm I had just left. That storm produced the tornado that devastated Franklin and Ringo Kansas as well as other surrounding communities. I knew whatever was behind me was big and bad and I turned the car around and raced to the Northeast....we were probably the 5th vehicle to enter into the devastated community of Franklin and Ringo. Below you will find only a couple of photos...I still have to search the archives for more. And the video David and I shot was minimal...we were overwhelmed by the destruction. The fact that the community of Franklin had no storm siren, had minimal warning of this large tornado, really disturbed me. I asked a person where the command post was for this community and as we stood there in the street he looked around and said your lookin at it. David and I started locating families with children and passing out the toys I carry in my chase vehicle. The community of Franklin Kansas is a strong community, with a network of support, dedication and resolve to build their community back ten-fold better than it was before. I am proud to have supported this community in their rebuilding effort, particularly helping, in part, with funding for a storm siren (which is now installed).

STORM SIREN

Thanks to Kathryn Piotrowski of Owasso, Oklahoma who has been so supportive of our community. Please visit her website Twister Chasers.

Kathryn has covered news of our recovery since the very beginning and has generously donated toward our rebuilding process.

Due to the kindness and generosity of the following agencies and individuals
a storm siren was installed with funding and donations from the following:
USDA Rural Development
Frank & Frances Ales, Arma, Ks
Ray & Sandy Hamblin, Franklin, Ks.
Dorothy Smardo, Franklin, Ks.
Royal Neighbors of America, Rock Island, Il. (Gloria Williamson, agent)
Paul Newman, Westport, Ct.

Please visit the website for Franklin, Kansas http://www.franklinkansas.com/index.html

Related web pages in Twister Chasers