Tornado Leaves Ruins In Wake

On June 8, 1966, Topeka, Kansas was struck by an F5 rated tornado. It started on the southwest side of town, moving northeast, passing over a local landmark named Burnetts Mound. According to a local Native American legend, this mound was thought to protect the city from tornadoes. It went on to rip through the city, hitting the downtown area and Washburn University. Total dollar cost was put at $100 million making it, at the time, one of the costliest tornadoes in history. That is $658.65 million in 2008 dollars making it the 6th costliest tornado in the U.S. 820 homes were destroyed and 3000 damaged. 250 businesses were destroyed and 2330 damaged including a major shopping center. 330 of the damaged homes and businesses suffered major damage and the other 5000 received lesser damages. Hundreds of apartments were destroyed and most of the Washburn University of Law and Phillip Billard Municipal Airport were affected. Many government buildings, public buildings, other structures and much other property were damaged or destroyed.

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[TornadoWatche]

Wow! Scary and unbelievable!