The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-17
NIGHT OF STORMS
Wind, Rain and Lightning Hits
Topeka Once More.
Electric Lights, Street Cars,
Telephones Out of Order.
NEAR RECORD FOR AUGUST
Nearly Ten Inches of Rain Has
Fallen This Month.
River and Creeks High, But Not
at Danger Point.
NEAR RECORD FOR AUGUST

Another rain of 1.91 inches Tuesday
night, accompanied by wind and
lightning. inflicted serious damage to
both telephone and electric light
service and will assist in placing Au-
gust on record as one of the wettest
months Topeka and northeast Kansas
have ever known.
The total rainfall so far for the
month at this place is 9.73' inches and
is already, with one exception, the
wettest August on record here. The
dampest eighth month was in 1903,
when rainfall of 1853 inches was
recorded. but this August has a fair
chance of beating that record with
two weeks to go. August is already
the rainiest month Topeka has en-
joyed since 1909.
AS a result of the storm Tuesday
night, most of the city was plunged
into darkness. The Topeka Edison
company has its inemen out in full
force toda- repairing the damage
which was general over the city. Not
in several years have so many lights
been put out of order. 1t was ex-
planned at the company's office that
the trouble was not confined to any
section of the city.
400 Phones Burned Out
The Southwestern Bell Telephone
company reports that about 400 tele-
phones in Topeka were burned out and
that seventy or eighty toll lines in the
eastern district, extending from Abb
lene to Kansas City were affected by
the storm. Topeka was entirely cut
off from telephone communication
with both Kansas City and Emporia
for a time during the night but these
lines were partially restored by 800
afr1C IL ~
other lines, service with these two
points is again available.
The Union Pacific is the only rail-
road reporting any trouble and its
trains are running on schedule today
A small washout occurred between St
George and Manhattan, forty-five
miles west of Topeka, early Tuesday
night, delaying train No. 40, due at
Topeka at 7:15 o'clock, about three
hours There is a section between St
George and Manhattan that is poorly
drained and frequently causes trouble
from rain. 49,
The Santa. Fe reports rain over its
lines in eastern Kansas and heavy
rains in Missouri, but no reports of
washouts or trouble of any kind had
been received at the office of the gen
eral manager today.
Other sources later reported a wash
out on the Santa Fe's branch line be-
tween Lawrence and Ottawa.
Hamper Street Car Service.
Street car service in Topeka was
greatly hampered for short time
Tuesday night. Lightning struck the
Highland Park circuit and put that
line out of order. Cars on the Gene
terry line encountered trouble at Third
and Polk streets and at Sixth and Le-
land streets, and high water caused a
suspension of service on the South To-
peka line south of Seventeenth street.
Shunganunga creek went ON another
rampage but lacked about one foot of
going as high as it did last Thursday
following the heavy rain the night
before. Back water from Biddle creek
caused an overflow in the vicinity of
Fourth and Locust streets, the water
extending as far south as Sixth ave
nue.. A few Easements and several
yards were flooded there and on JEFF
ferson street. Sewers backing up also
caused considerable trouble.
The Kaw river stood at feet at 10
o'clock this morning, having risen 2.3
feet since 9 o'clock Tuesday night. 1t
will go higher. but will not reach the
danger point.
Early reports received by the local
weather bureau show that the rain was
confined largely to the eastern part of
the state. Only .O4 of an inch was
reported at Goodland, a trace at Wich-
ita and none at either Concordia or
Dodge City.