Community

Storms knock out power to thousands, BPU warns of multi-day recovery

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Heavy storms downed branched and toppled trees, causing damage and power outages, with the heaviest damage across northern Wyandotte County. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lambert.)

Severe storms tore through Wyandotte County early Wednesday. Heavy rain and strong wind moved into the area Tuesday night, downing trees and triggering outages across the area. Shortly after 6 a.m., the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) reported more than 16,500 customers without power.

By 7:30 a.m., BPU’s online outage map still showed thousands of customers in the dark. That figure was about 25 percent of its total. BPU warned that full restoration will take multiple days.

The northern portion of BPU’s service territory along the Leavenworth Road corridor. Fallen trees, debris, and other hazards limited access for essential services and emergency crews. Those conditions also slowed BPU’s efforts to assess damage to the electric distribution system.

Heavy storms downed branched and toppled trees, causing damage and power outages, with the heaviest damage across northern Wyandotte County. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lambert.)

Classes cancelled

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools cancelled all classes Wednesday. The district announced the closure on Facebook around 6:40 a.m., citing widespread damage and power outages.

Outages reach nearby counties

Evergy reported just under 3,000 customers without power across the Kansas City area. Those outages included more than 1,670 in Jackson County, 500 in Johnson County, about 370 in Leavenworth County, and more than 300 in Clay County.

Power restoration underway

All available BPU electric crews are responding, and other local crews are providing mutual aid as available based on their own customers’ damage. Crews will prioritize hazards and the repairs that restore service to the greatest number of customers.

BPU urged customers without power to prepare for an extended outage and make alternate arrangements. Those arrangements should cover medications, medical equipment, refrigeration, and other essential needs.

“Customers should not wait for a specific restoration time before making necessary plans for themselves and their families,” BPU said in its statement.

Heavy storms downed branched and toppled trees, causing damage and power outages, with the heaviest damage across northern Wyandotte County. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lambert.)

Safety guidance

BPU asked residents to stay at least 35 feet from downed power lines and to treat every line as energized. Anyone who sees an immediate public safety hazard from a downed line should call 911. Customers can report outages and downed lines to BPU’s 24/7 outage line at (913) 573-9522.

“Public and crew safety remains our highest priority,” the utility said.

Crews clear blocked streets

The Unified Government (UG) said its Street Maintenance crews are clearing blocked streets, mostly north of Leavenworth Road. Crews are responding to reports of trees and other debris, and Environmental Services teams are assisting. Supervisors are documenting damage as crews work through the affected area. Crews will cut and move trees, limbs, and other debris as needed to safely reopen streets.

When possible, crews will place debris cleared from the roadway in the adjacent public right-of-way. Under UG code, the adjacent property owner is responsible for final removal and disposal. If crews cannot safely place debris in the right-of-way, they will remove it as part of the street-clearing operation.

Residents can report downed trees in the public right-of-way or debris blocking a street at mywyco.wycokck.org or by calling 3-1-1.

Extended hours for yard waste

The UG is extending hours at the Recycling & Yard Waste Center, 3241 Park Drive. The extra hours give residents more time to dispose of limbs and other yard waste. The center will open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Saturday, Aug. 29. It will close Sunday, Aug. 30. Public Works will reassess the hours after Aug. 29 based on community needs and the ongoing storm response.

Solid Waste Manager Diana Miles said the move is meant to ease cleanup for residents.

“We know many residents are dealing with limbs and other debris after last night’s storm, and we want to give them additional opportunities to safely dispose of that material,” Miles said.

The center accepts grass clippings, leaves, garden trimmings, branches up to 4 feet long, and stumps up to 12 inches in diameter. Residents must show proof of residency. The center does not accept waste from businesses or nonprofit organizations.

Other disposal options

Residents can also set out qualifying storm debris with their normal trash collection. They must bag leaves and grass clippings, and each bag can weigh no more than 50 pounds. Tree limbs should go in tied bundles no longer than 4 feet, weigh less than 50 pounds, and measure 4 inches or less in diameter. Residents may set out up to 10 paper bags or 10 bundles per week.

KCK residents can also take eligible residential yard waste to the Johnson County Landfill, 17955 Holliday Drive in Shawnee. Residents must transport the material themselves and show proof of residency. The landfill’s yard-waste program sets separate limits on the size and amount of material it accepts.

Residents should not place trees, limbs, or other storm debris in the roadway. They should also keep debris clear of fire hydrants, utility markers, poles, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure.