HUTCHINSON, Kan. — At its peak, there were over 18,000 residents in Hutchinson without power Sunday night according to the Evergy outage map, after a severe thunderstorm packing 86 mile per hour winds as measured at the Hutchinson Airport came through between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The gust was measured at 7:40 p.m.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, there were still 14 traffic signals in the City of Hutchinson that were out, with four more dependent on generator power. A traffic signal that is out with no colors showing should be treated as a four way stop.
Also, as of 8 a.m. Monday, power was slowly being restored to lift stations in the city, with 20 out at the storm's peak and there were still 12 out as of that time.
According to a 9:45 a.m. update from the City of Hutchinson, the City Manager, Public Works Director, Forestry Superintendent, and Street Superintendent are currently forming an evaluation team to assess the extent of the damage and determine the city's response.
Residents are responsible for removing limbs from their properties. City crews have been working overnight to clear streets, pushing limbs into yards. The Forestry Division is assisting when downed limbs are touching private property such as cars or mailboxes.
Tree limb drop off sites will be announced later today, if necessary.
Reno County Emergency Management said as of 8:30 a.m., there are several roadways closed, electrical lines down, and broken tree limbs scattered all over the county. Crews are working as quickly as possible to clean up debris and open roadways.
"Thank you to our dispatchers, responders, public works personnel, and line crews who have worked around the clock," Emergency Management added.
Power was lost to both Country 102.9 and KWBW's transmitter sites as the storm rolled through, with Country 102.9 coming back on overnight at KWBW coming back on just before midnight at reduced power. There were reports of extensive tree damage in both Hutchinson and Newton and Halstead Fire and EMS in Harvey County reported that community had tornado damage.
There are still ongoing safety concerns such as downed power lines or debris in roads which are being responded to as resources allow.
The City of Newton noted online, in Greenwood Cemetery, many large trees are down and roads are blocked. Please avoid the cemetery while they work to clean up. Please wait to place Memorial Day decorations until late this week so crews can mow and trim after the trees are cleared.
There was also significant damage in Burrton, with Highway 50 shut down between Yoder Road and the Harvey County line Sunday night due to a chemical leak. Haven Road was also closed due to power poles down east of town.
Harvey County Emergency Management and its emergency partners continue assessing significant storm damage across the county from severe weather May 19.
No injuries have been reported in Harvey County. Several damaged buildings have been reported throughout the county.
Burrton residents were asked to shelter in place due to a possible chemical leak at a damaged oil facility west of the city. The alert was issued just after 9 p.m. Sunday. The order was lifted just after 11 p.m.
Harvey County has issued a verbal disaster declaration due to the weather damage. Disaster declarations aid with coordination of resources if needed.
Haven Police posted Sunday night that there is damage to various structures throughout that city.
Hutch Post will update this story as more details become available.
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