Devastation In U.S. Storms

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 11

Devastation In U.S. Storms

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, June 9. Two American States reeled today under the howling destruction of two mighty windstorms a hurricane in Florida and a tornado in Kansas. The tornado sliced through the Kansas city of Topeka last night killing 10 people and injuring at least 400.

The tornado hit while coastal residents were fleeing from the hurricane Alma, which has already ravaged Cuba, and is raging up the Florida coast. In Topeka, officials reported that parts of j the city of 120,000 ' had been completely | levelled. Disrupted communications hampered efforts to assess the full damage and hospitals reported difficulty in contacting doctors to treat the injured.

The streets of the main business district were littered with glass as the violent, twisting funnel of wind shattered windows and twisted their frames. Another tornado struck the town of Manhattan, 60 miles to the west, and at least 11 other funnels had been sighted in the area.

Guard Mobilised In Kansas, Governor William Avery mobilised the National Guard. Throughout Topeka homes and businesses were levelled or unroofed, cars were overturned, trees were blown over and electrical lines were severed or down. Hundreds were homeless. Washburn University was reported almost completely destroyed. All buildings on the campus sustained some damage and many—including

stone buildings—were demolished. University officials asked for police to help gather and protect business and student records. Communications Cut Communications in and out of Topeka were disrupted. Planes were strewn over a wide area of the municipal airport. Between 300 and 400 persons were taken to hospital. Most were released after emergency treatment. Police, firemen, highway patrolmen and volunteers s rched for injured in the ruins. In St. Petersberg, Florida, the hurricane Alma struck with 93-mile-an-hour winds. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

People living along the western coast of Florida have been urged to evacuate their homes because of the danger of high tides. As the hurricane pounded the coast there was a series of temporary power cuts. The streets of St Petersberg were covered with the debris of branches torn from trees and blown-down hoardings in the wake of the first winds.

The storm left four persons dead and 54 injured in Cuba. Forecasters warned of tides from seven to 11 feet above normal; the centre of the hurricane carried winds of up to 110 miles an hour. The Miami-Palm Beach “gold coast” escaped major damage, although Jupiter lighthouse on the east coast north of Palm Beach reported gusts of wind to 75 m.p.h.