UPDATE:  Evergy said Tuesday that most of the power has been restored after Sunday’s severe thunderstorms that brought down power lines across south central Kansas.

The utility said 95 percent of power had been restored as of Tuesday afternoon.  Over the course of the storm, more than 106,000 Evergy customers lost power, and by late Tuesday, about 5,000 customers remained out.

Evergy had more than 1,600 workers in the field on power restoration efforts.  In addition to local crews, Evergy crews from other communities, contractors and crews from Liberty Utilities have joined to assist with the restoration work. To clear extensive tree damage, 175 vegetation crews have been working in storm-struck areas to help remove limbs and debris so that line crews can repair outages.

In the Hutchinson and Newton areas, where the National Weather Service has declared a “derecho event” occurred, some remaining customers may be without power until late Wednesday as crews work to clear extensive debris and rebuild the system.

Evergy has safety tips for residents to keep in mind:

·       Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines or limbs on lines. Do not try to remove tree limbs or brush from downed lines or anywhere near power lines. Assume that any downed line is energized. If you have an emergency, please call 911. 

·       Keep your phone charged if possible. Follow updates from local authorities and from Evergy for restoration times and safety advice. 

·       Customers can also track outages online through the Evergy Outage Map at evergy.com

·       Customers can also call Evergy. Kansas residents served by Evergy Kansas Central can call 800-LIGHT KS (800-544-4857). Customers in the Kansas City metro area and Missouri can call 888-LIGHT-KC (888-544-4852). 

[ photo:  Evergy – Facebook ]