Power Restoration from Blizzard Becomes Multi-State Relief Effort

The blizzard’s heavy, wet snow and high winds downed trees, power lines and transmission poles affecting rural electric cooperative members of CMS, Meade; Lane-Scott, Dighton; Midwest Energy, Hays; Pioneer, Ulysses; Prairie Land, Norton; Tri-County, Hooker, Oklahoma; Sunflower, Hays; Western, WaKeeney; and Wheatland, Scott City.

As crews continue to work their way through muddy conditions to assess the damage, the number of poles damaged or down continues to increase.

Kansas electric co-ops less affected by the storm have already sent linemen, equipment and materials to assist with restoration efforts.

Electric cooperatives providing assistance include: Ark Valley, South Hutchinson; Bluestem, Wamego; Butler, El Dorado; Caney-Valley, Cedar Vale; FreeState, McLouth and Topeka; Heartland, Girard; DS&O, Solomon; Flint Hills, Council Grove; Lyon-Coffey, Burlington; Nemaha-Marshall, Axtell; Ninnescah, Pratt; Radiant, Fredonia; Rolling Hills, Beloit; Sedgwick County; Cheney; Sumner-Cowley, Wellington; Twin Valley; Altamont; and Victory, Dodge City.

The electric cooperative line crews continue to work around-the-clock to restore service to their members. This information is correct as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Kansas Electric Cooperatives serves 28 distribution electric cooperatives and three generation and transmission electric cooperatives, providing electricity to more than 200,000 Kansas households and spanning across approximately 80 percent of Kansas. For more information, visit www.kec.coop.