Former mayor recounts devastation after Topeka tornado
10:23 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Chuck Wright is 86 now. He served as mayor in 1966 and remembers that June 8th like it was yesterday.
"The weather outside looked dark, like midnight,” he said. "It was a disaster."
That disaster killed 16 people and injured hundreds more.
Wright flew in a helicopter over the city the morning after the tornado and was awestruck at what he saw.
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"I cried,” Wright said. “I wasn't ashamed to say I shed tears because I knew I was the one that had to put the city back together and I knew what a big job that was."
Just how big is evidenced by a call Wright received that same morning.On the line was President Johnson.
"He said, ‘Mr. Mayor, I just want to express our sincere sorrow at what has happened to your wonderful city and we are here to do whatever we can,’” Wright said.
Wright's first order of business showed he meant business.
"I said, ‘Let's put out an order that anybody suspected of looting will be shot on sight, no questions asked,’” he said.
The answer to moving ahead quickly meant getting all of the downed trees and power lines out of the roadways so emergency crews could get through.
The Topeka tornado destroyed more than 800 homes and damaged nearly 3,000 homes and businesses. But just as quickly as the Topeka tornado tore its path of destruction, plans to rebuild surfaced and a much different city rose from the rubble.
"The tornado reshaped it, but it kept the city on track,” he said. “Certainly Washburn improved greatly."
Wright served out his term as mayor through 1969 when he felt confidant he'd done everything he could to help Topeka rebuild and thrive in the face of adversity.
"We came out really good,” he said.
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