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Topeka's 1951 Flood and Community Resilience | Topeka News
In 1951, Topeka, Kansas, faced a catastrophic flood so severe it collapsed bridges, turned streets into rivers, and forced residents to navigate by boat. Amid the chaos, citizens rallied around the clock—filling sandbags to protect vital infrastructure like the waterworks. One standout was Boy Scout Ernst F. Tonsing, who spent 36 straight hours photographing the devastation and helping with relief efforts, even as floodwaters encroached. Despite the odds, the waterworks kept pumping clean water to the city. This historic event revealed Topeka’s resilience and the power of community in the…
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