TORNADO DAMAGE PATTERNS IN TOPEKA, KANSAS, JUNE 8, 1966

Abstract

An investigation of the damage resulting from the tornado in Topeka, Kans. on June 8, 1966 was conducted in an effort to determine the most protected areas of dwellings during this tornado. Inspection of 28 full basements under severely damaged houses and houses blown away revealed that some variation of unsafe areas did occur. The north-east section was somewhat safer than other locations although this was not statistically significant. Results based on observations of 17 walk-out basements showed that the north section of the basement was significantly safer than other locations. The walk-out basements faced the southwest which was also the direction from which the storm came. Investigation of the damage to the first floor of 90 houses which had both safe and unsafe areas showed the north and central sections were significantly safer than other locations.