Power lines knocked down across northeast Kansas amid tornado warnings, high winds

Matthew Self
·2 min read

TOPEKA (KSNT) – According to the FreeState Electric Coop outage map, there are 522 customers in Jackson County without power, as of 9:40 p.m. There are almost 1,300 Evergy customers near Westmoreland and Topeka without power.

Multiple power outages are being reported across northeast Kansas as a powerful storm system rolls through the area Tuesday night.

More than 150 outages are active impacting 3,200 customers on April 30, according to the Evergy Outage Map. A large outage, impacting 745 customers, is focused on an area north of the City of Manhattan which includes the towns of Wheaton, Westmoreland, Fostoria and Olsburg.

Another major outage, impacting the Silver Lake area to the northwest of the City of Topeka, includes more than 600 Evergy customers. Multiple smaller outages are being reported across central and north Topeka as well. Reports are also coming in for downed power lines on the ground from broken power poles.

LIVE: Several counties in NE Kansas under tornado, severe thunderstorm watch

Kaley Bohlen, a spokeswoman for Evergy, says crews are working to repair the damage caused by the storms as quickly as they can in a safe manner. She also gave the following safety tips:

  • Assume that all downed power lines are live. Report downed lines to 911 and then to Evergy.

  • No person should come within 30 feet of a downed power line.

  • If a branch or other object is in contact with a power line, do not attempt to remove it.

  • Be aware of downed lines that may be covered up by debris or downed trees.

  • Be careful with electric tools and stay clear of damp ground and standing puddles.

  • If you see someone touching a downed line, do not touch them.

  • If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, remain inside your car.

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