Severe storms moved through Kansas early Thursday caused wide spread power outages. Westar and contractor crews have been working on restoration. According to Westar they have reached out to Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma for assistance.

The company says that the storms caused outages for more than 12,000 customers. Many were caused by damage that affected just one or a few homes.

Power was restored by late afternoon to almost 75 percent those affected, but for customers who are still without electricity, it could be late Friday for some of them.

Downed power lines are among the damage that is being repaired. We want to remind people to always assume a line is energized and to never go near a downed power line. They should report them immediately.

Specific details for areas impacted:

• In Salina, we have about 2,000 customers still without electricity, and it may be about 7 p.m. Friday before electricity is restored to all customers. Damage in the area includes 24 poles down
• In Topeka, we have about 1,200 customers still without electricity and restoration may take until 5 p.m. Friday for some customers. With high winds in the city, crews are repairing many downed wires.
• For customers in southeast Kansas, restoration is expected to be complete by 9 p.m. today.
• In northeast Kansas, power should be fully restored by 6 p.m. today.

Forecasts for the next 48 hours show the possibility for more storms in the same areas. Westar asks that customers be prepared for further weather related outages.