FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MOST COSTLY TORNADO IN KANSAS HISTORY

Fifty Year Anniversary of Topeka Tornado

Most Costly in History of Kansas

By Terry Bailey

Fifty years ago today on June 8, 1966 the most costly tornado to strike the state of Kansas swept through the heart of Topeka cutting a swath one-half mile wide and twenty-two miles long.

Old timers believed a tornado would never crash into Topeka due to a prominent high hill located on the southwest corner of the city. This myth was destroyed on June 8 when an F-5 tornado dropped from the skies at 7 pm right on top of Burnett’s Mound and, true to form, headed northeast through the capitol city.

This F-5 tornado, often referred to as the “Finger of God” first struck Washburn University Virtually every building on that campus was destroyed as the tornado caused ten million dollars damage there.

The tornado ground its way through residential areas before arriving at the commercial district of downtown Topeka. It swept through an eight block wide path creating extensive damage to downtown businesses.

It struck a glancing blow to the capitol building after swerving from a head on course at the last minute. Several of the copper panels were destroyed on the capitol’s dome. This scar was evident for many years before the replacement panels became oxidized to the same green color as the other original panels.

The tornado begin to lose power after it passed downtown. After doing considerable damage to airplanes and structures at the Ballard airport on the northeast corner of Topeka, it ascended back into the clouds and disappeared.

This wedge tornado was on the ground for almost 30 minutes as it tore 22 miles right through the middle of Topeka. Seventeen people lost their lives and almost 600 were injured. The cost of the damage at the time was estimated to be over one hundred million dollars. Adjusted for inflation, that would be 1.8 billion dollars in today’s money.

Bill Kurtis, then a rookie newscaster at WIBW TV in Topeka, is credited with saving many lives when he issued his urgent plea to TV viewers, “For God’s sake, take cover.” He conveyed such urgency that people heeded his advice and were saved. Kurtis went on to a long and distinguished career as a broadcast journalist.

Some good did come from all the bad. TV stations at that time had been reluctant to interrupt regular programing with weather concerns. After the June 8^th tornado they did not hesitate to do so. It became apparent that time is a critical factor in tornadoes. A few minutes warning can mean the difference between life and death. When the deadliest tornado in Kansas’ history struck Udall, Kansas in May of 1955, residents had no warning whatsoever. Eighty people were killed and over 200 injured when Udall was swept from the face of map by this F-5 tornado.

Weather forecasters were equipped with vintage surplus World War II military radar machines when Topeka was devastated. These units were equipped with a small, fuzzy, black and white screen that provided limited information of use to the weathermen. Great improvement began to be seen in forecasting technology and equipment after June 8, 1966. Computers have dramatically increased the ability of the weather service to issue pertinent watches and warning.

Nothing can withstand the destructive force of a tornado. The only defense against these monstrous storms is to be forewarned and to find a place of safety, preferably underground. Local radio and TV stations provided up to the minute information to help keep you safe.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA