Courtesy photos

Wednesday’s early morning storm wreaked havoc across the Hays area.

As of 9 a.m., nearly 6,000 Midwest Energy customers were without power, as crews attempted to repair downed lines across Ellis and Russell counties. At Hays Medical Center’s recently purchased building (the former NEW call center), construction materials were scattered by the wind. Portions of the exterior of Gross Memorial Coliseum at Fort Hays State University were torn off, while a set of bleachers was whipped into the chain-link backstop at the Glassman baseball fields.

Hays Recreation Commission officials reported widespread damage at its outdoors facilities, with bleachers tossed by the strong wind and dugout canvas ripped away.

UPDATE: Hays airport closes runways after wind storm.

UPDATE: Expect periodic power outages.

RELATED: Power out to thousands.

Check Hays Post for addition details as they become available. Send your storm photos with descriptions and photographer attribution to [email protected].