Greensburg, Kan., Launches Its Comeback

May 20, 2007 — -- Greensburg, Kan., seems to change by the hour. Two weeks after an F-5 tornado killed 10 people and destroyed most of the town, there are now temporary street signs, a temporary city hall, and temporary housing.

Dozens of families have signed up to live in FEMA trailers, where they can live for up to 18 months.

"We lived through a tornado," said Lisa King, whose family has made a home in a FEMA unit. "We can live through anything."

Nearly 8,000 truckloads of debris have been removed from Greensburg, but it still looks like a war zone. Local leaders look beyond the piles or rubble and see a blank canvas — an opportunity to build an even better town.

"Technology, environmental issues, energy issues can all be addressed. We can be a leader in rural America," said Greensburg city administrator Steve Hewitt.

Of the town's 70 businesses, 60 have committed to returning, including Greensburg's three banks, which are now up and running in makeshift offices.

At the county courthouse, electricity has returned, even if the lawyers haven't.

And medical care is again available, thanks to a mobile hospital.

Greensburg Mayor Lonnie McCollum and the town's other leaders know that temporary means fragile. They are confident a new, permanent Greensburg will eventually emerge, but with seniors making up nearly 40 percent of the population, they worry not all residents will be able to wait.

"We have a lot of history here, a lot of tradition," said Hewitt.

And Greensburg is working to honor those traditions. Next weekend, the town plans to host its annual rodeo, even though there was damage to the arena.

"It's important that people understand that we have a community here that holds a lot to our heart," said Hewitt.

ABC News' Eric Horng and Lindsay Hamilton contributed to this report.