Topekans try to beat the heat after storm takes away power

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Evergy said crews are still working around the clock, to get power back to its customers after overnight storms roll through northeast Kansas.

Residents in south Topeka that were powerless for about 16 hours. This stems from the the severe thunderstorm that rolled across Kansas Wednesday night. KSNT 27 News talked to a handful of people in south Topeka who were without power until about 6:30 p.m. Thursday night. There were about 319 homes without power earlier Thursday, but now the lights are back on for most of them. Wednesday night's storm left thousands of Topekans without power.

No air conditioning combined with the extreme heat means folks around town are struggling to stay cool.

"Well what are people supposed to do," Topekan Luther Carver said. "It's the heat wave, it's kinda hot! You know, can you get some people out here or something to do something?"

Carver told 27 News a bunch of downed power lines on South Topeka Boulevard pulled attention away from their neighborhood.

"Well that's businesses, what about the people that live in homes first? That would be the first thing you should do," Carver said.

Carver lives two streets over from Topekans Tammy and Scott Sanders. The Sanders' said their power went out around 3 a.m. and that it was frustrating not knowing when the lights would come back on.

"We're still in our little enclave of heat and darkness," Scott said.

"I really would like to know more information instead of just 'check the map.' I don't wanna lose $600 worth of meat in my freezer," Tammy said.

Evergy said as of 6:30 p.m. 90% of customers had power back. Those without lights were getting creative to beat the heat for themselves and their pets.

"About to go get me a pop with lots of ice, and an extra cup of ice so I can pour it on my head," Carver said.

"We have one kitty molly that likes to have the sink water run," Tammy said. "So, I'll turn that on and she gets in the sink and she'll cool off that way."

According to the Evergy outage map, more than 7,000 Kansans, and nearly 1,000 Topekans are going into Thursday night without power. Evergy said it could be until Saturday before it restores everyone's power.

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