As of Saturday morning there are 102 residents in Salina who are still without power according to Evergy. This is down from 2,000 Frodau and 4,000 Thursday.
UPDATED : In the wake of the severe storm that tore through the area, thousands of residents in Salina are grappling with power outages Friday morning.
As of Friday morning, Evergy reported that approximately 2,161 customers in Salina remain without power. The storm, which caused widespread damage to the power grid, has left substantial numbers without electricity across the state. Currently, less than 7,500 of Evergy's customers remain without electricity, down from the 117,000 initially impacted. Efforts have resulted in the restoration of power to about 94% of those affected.
The utility company has deployed around 1,100 personnel to clear debris, particularly downed trees, and repair damaged power lines and poles. The efforts are further bolstered by the commitment of neighboring utilities from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, and Iowa, contributing an additional 350 linemen who will begin arriving by this afternoon.
Salina and Topeka have been identified as the most affected areas, with over 50 power poles downed and transmission lines severely damaged. Efforts to repair these critical components are intensifying, with the expectation to complete major repairs in transmission lines by tonight. Evergy released a statement regarding the damage in Salina, "In Salina, multiple transmission lines that help deliver power longer distances were impacted Wednesday night causing much of the area to lose power. Repairs to those lines are expected to be complete tonight."
In addition, areas like Lawrence and the Kansas City metro area have experienced extensive outages. While many are likely to have their power restored sooner, some customers in these regions might remain without electricity until Friday evening.
Amid the restoration efforts, excessive heat warnings issued by the National Weather Service add another layer of urgency and complexity. The community is advised to stay hydrated, seek cooler environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors, mitigating the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Authorities in Salina have established cooling centers offering refuge from the heat and providing residents with places to charge their essential devices.
From Saline County Emergency Management:
Recovery Services Available:
Free Meals for Residents Without Power
Residents without power can pick up free meals this afternoon from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Saline County Expo Center, located at 900 Greeley Ave. Drive-thru pick-up will be available on the south side of Kenwood Hall in the dirt lot. Home-bound residents can request meal delivery by calling 785.714.0389.
City-Wide Limb Pickup
The City of Salina is conducting a city-wide limb pickup to help clear debris from the storm. Residents are encouraged to place limbs and branches curbside for collection. Further details are available HERE.
Cooling Shelter and Charging Stations
The Saline County Health Department, located at 125 W. Elm St., has opened its lobby to the public as a cooling shelter and a place to charge medical devices. The lobby will remain open until 4:30 p.m. today. For questions, residents can call 785-826-6600.
Debris Cleanup Assistance
The Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists Disaster Relief and Team Rubicon have mobilized chainsaw teams to assist with limb and debris cleanup. The first team is expected to be in the area this afternoon. While the teams will not haul away debris, they will move it to the curbside for city pickup. Residents in need of this service can contact Saline County Emergency Management at 785.826.6511.
Insurance Assistance
The Kansas Department of Insurance is available to help residents with questions about their insurance coverage or to assist with any issues they may have with their insurance companies. Residents can reach them at 800.432.2484.
