Topeka Tornado Part Four: Washburn University

"And Hell Followed with It", Part Three: Countryside Methodist Church
This video describes the events of June 1966 when an EF5 Tornado hit the city of Topeka, Kansas. Narrated by author Bonar Menninger and Phil Thompson.
For more information visit www.topekatornado.com

[@alexasaltz4229]

Washburn U! I was a student and lived in apartments across the street. The location was in the path of that tornado and the apartments were built shortly after. You can clearly see where the tornado had come through because of the way repairs and rebuilds have been done. Great university! Obviously I am a very proud alumni. :)

[@housewifeuntilheaven1593]

My Aunt Kathy was in the recital at Washburn University, and was one of those who sought safety in the basement! She said they were all huddled in the first corner and someone said they needed to go to the other corner, which saved all of their lives! Had they stayed, they would have all been crushed/buried to death. My other Aunt was working at a restaurant close to downtown, at the cash register. The restaurant patrons and staff went immediately to the basement but she stayed behind to try to get all of the money out of the register, which she was concerned about. As soon as she made it down into the basement and they closed the door, the tornado hit and obliterated the restaurant. Thankfully, all survived at that location.
My Mother, (7), my other Aunt and my grandparents were in a basement, at a friend’s house, directly across the street from Countryside United Methodist Church. My Grandpa was on the front porch watching the tornado, as the rest were screaming for him to get down to the basement. As soon as he saw debris, he joined them. Thankfully, all survived. To see the photos taken from the parking lot of Countryside United Methodist Church, which was directly across the street from my family’s location, and to see what my Grandpa was looking at that evening is unbelievable...what a moment etched into history. Thanks for this series!!

[@patricklaurojr7427]

smart move grabbing the money hopefully was a big amount and hopefully she kept it lol

[@AeanMichael]

Ten years later, when I was a student at KU, I would come home for the summer and go to theatrical productions and lectures at
Washburn University, which had been rebuilt into a wonderful modern university, which I hope remains today. Resilience and love were strong.