Halstead announces cleanup after severe storm

HALSTEAD, Kan. (KSNW) – The City of Halstead announced a cleanup following Sunday’s severe weather. The city says all tree limbs should be cut to 14 feet or less for public works to remove them.

According to Harvey County Emergency Management, the U.S. National Weather Service – Wichita office concluded its damage assessment. Results indicate that damage in the county was caused by straight-line winds. Evidence did not indicate a tornado.

The storm downed power lines and trees. Window damage was also reported from the storm.

Resident Joleen Ross said she heard a roar and ran to safety.

“I heard a roar. I don’t know if anybody else heard it … and I thought, oh my gosh, I have to get out of here,” she said. “I ran down the steps. I don’t remember doing that. I ran to my neighbor’s, and we went downstairs with his dog and kind of waited it out.”

When the storm was over, the power was out, and there was a lot of tree damage, especially in the park.

“I live cattycorner from the park, and the park had taken a direct hit,” she said. “A lot of broken tree limbs, and it was so beautiful, but we all know what a tornado tree looks like after it’s been hit by a tornado, and that’s what we’re going to have to live with.”

Ross said huge oak trees sheltered her porch, but not anymore.

“On Saturday, I spent the day out in the yard and trimming and planting flowers and I was going to trim some limbs off my trees. Don’t have to know. The entire trees are coming down. Both of my trees in the front yard are going to have to come down.”

As of 10 a.m., Evergy reports about 3,100 outages in Harvey County. To see the latest power outages, click here. Butler Electric reported 27 outages in Harvey County.

Newton cancels school due to power outages, severe storm damage

Harvey County issued a verbal disaster declaration due to storm damage.

Several county roads remain closed due to downed power lines or debris. The current list includes, but may not be limited to:

• Southwest 36th Street from South Old Settlers Road to South Halstead Road

• South River Park Road from U.S. Highway 50 to West First Street

• North River Park Road from West First Street to Northwest 12th Street

• Burmac Road from U.S. 50 to Northwest 12th Street

• South Halstead Road from Southwest 36th Street to 10th Street

• Southwest 14th Street from Cow Palace Road to Plum Street

• Southwest 24th Street from South Halstead Road to East Street

Cities and townships have additional street closures.

The Harvey County Health Department is closed on Monday due to the power being out.

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