7:30 a.m. Friday update Thousands of residents in south central Kansas remain without power after storms swept through the region, downing trees and power lines.
Most of the damage from Thursday’s storms was reported near Wichita, where about 13,000 customers remained without power early Friday, down from a peak of about 21,000. The utility said it hoped to have power restored by Friday night. Power outages also were reported in Harvey, McPherson and Reno counties.
The National Weather Service says winds topped 70 mph, causing limbs to fall on cars and homes and knock down power poles. Winds also damaged some fireworks stands set up for the upcoming holiday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says winds blew over a semi-trailer truck on the Kansas Turnpike Thursday evening. The driver was hospitalized with critical injuries.
5 a.m. Friday The strong storm that swept the state on Thursday evening brought three dozen reports of large hail, quarter size up to softball size. There were as many as 90 reports of wind gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour including several reports of 80 to 90 mile per hour wind in McPherson and a 76 mph wind gust reported in Rush County, near Otis.
The Wichita area had reports of 69 to 89 mph wind. Several thousand Westar customers in Wichita and other parts of central Kansas are without electricity today due to downed power lines.
9 p.m. Thursday A line of strong and severe thunderstorms rolled across the state Thursday evening. There is damage reported in several communities from Barton County to McPherson and also in the Wichita area. Power is out to a number of homes in South Central Kansas.
The city of Ellsworth was hit hard by storms. Reports of 70 to 80 mph wind were recorded along with large hail. The electricity for parts of Ellsworth was knocked out. According to the Ellsworth Police Department there are reports of damage to trees, cars and electrical poles. Officials are working to asses total property damage in the community. We will have more information as it becomes available.