Cleanup efforts continue in and around Emporia after Friday’s powerful thunderstorms.
Over 9,600 Westar Energy customers lost power between 1 and 2 am Friday when storms blasted the area with high winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. The number dropped to around 3,500 before sunset and to under 300 by sunrise Saturday. All outages were restored by mid-evening Saturday.
Meanwhile, Lyon-Coffey has been working to restore at least 1,000 outages, according to Chief Operating Officer Mark Doebele. That number is now under 10, with about four still left in Lyon County.
Both companies have brought in crews from elsewhere in Kansas to help restore power.
The amount of tree damage led to heavy traffic at the Lyon-Chase County Transfer Station. Staffers say dropoff lines consistently went all the way to Prairie Street both Friday and Saturday with over 1,000 total loads. Solid Waste Supervisor Keith Senn tells KVOE News the Transfer Station will be open an hour early Sunday — but you need to pack your patience as well as your tree debris.
Staff will remain available after normal hours until lines slow down if that’s needed. The Transfer Station is closed Labor Day and should have normal hours Tuesday.
Residents have asked if the city will offer tree or limb pickup options to residents. City Manager Mark McAnarney says the city will research that possibility after Labor Day.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. Join KVOE’s social media accounts on Twitter@kvoeam1400 and Facebook@kvoenews for instant weather and travel information.
Click here for KVOE News’ story on the cause of Friday’s storm damage.
Click here for KVOE News’ prior coverage of this storm.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
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