Severe Storms Cut Power to Thousands in Wyandotte County

Overview

• Power lines and trees were heavily damaged by overnight storms, leaving thousands of Kansas City, Kansas, customers without electricity and causing widespread debris that blocks repair work.
• The governor issued a state disaster proclamation to unlock resources and support local response efforts after the storms produced extensive home and infrastructure damage.
• The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities said crews are working around the clock under a 'speed of safety' approach but cannot restore service to homes with damaged customer-owned electrical equipment until a licensed electrician fixes it.
• Local groups, volunteers and the Unified Government have opened resource sites, checked on elderly residents, supplied coolers for medication and organized donation drop-offs to help people without power.
• Practical obstacles such as trees on roofs, impounded volunteer equipment and the cost of uninsured repairs are slowing recovery and could prolong outages and hardship for low-income and elderly households.