Some power restoration efforts in KC area could stretch into Tuesday after Sunday storm
After another round of heavy rain and lightning Sunday, some power restorations efforts across the metro area could stretch into Tuesday, according to Evergy.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, around 11,500 customers didn’t have power, according to an Evergy outage map. More than 93% of impacted customers have had their power restored.
In a statement posted Sunday night, Evergy said half of the remaining outages had been assigned and were expected to be resolved before crews take a mandatory rest period after a 16-hour shift.
Storms Sunday caused muddy conditions that slowed restoration efforts, making it harder to set poles, Evergy said. Heavy rain and lightning from the storms also meant crews had to stop work for their safety.
The company expects outages in Topeka and Lawrence to be restored by mid-day Monday, while outages in the Kansas City metro area are expected to be restored Monday into Tuesday.
Many remaining outages will require tree removal and reconstruction to restore power to smaller numbers of customers, meaning restoration work will take longer as efforts continue, Evergy said.
Evergy officials said Friday’s weather event was the largest storm in the company’s five-year history, leaving around 186,000 customers in Kansas and Missouri without power at its peak. More than half of customers had their power restored by Saturday afternoon.
Friday’s storm traveled from Salina, Kansas and into the Kansas City metro area, at one time causing gusts between 80 and 100 mph. Hundreds of fallen poles and trees caused the outages, according to Evergy Chief Customer Officer Chuck Caisley.
As of Sunday night, more than 3,000 Evergy employees, contractors and workers at neighboring utility companies were working to restore power.
Starting Monday, Kansas City will offer extended clean-up efforts in the storm’s aftermath to help residents whose properties have been affected by debris.
This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 7:51 AM.
