Wind storm causes damage

  • Power outages and tree and property damage were the result of high winds that came through the county on Wednesday afternoon. Above Game Time Sports Bar lost their canopy, below, part of a large tree fell at the Kurtis and Ashley Voelker residence in Palmer, and right, Michael and Tonya Weiche lost a shed south of Barnes.
    Power outages and tree and property damage were the result of high winds that came through the county on Wednesday afternoon. Above Game Time Sports Bar lost their canopy, below, part of a large tree fell at the Kurtis and Ashley Voelker residence in Palmer, and right, Michael and Tonya Weiche lost a shed south of Barnes.
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  • A Canada Red Cherry Tree was uprooted in front of the Washington County Courthouse and a Christmas nativity scene toppled in Wednesday’s wind storm.
    A Canada Red Cherry Tree was uprooted in front of the Washington County Courthouse and a Christmas nativity scene toppled in Wednesday’s wind storm.
  • The side of a slanted roof on the Barnes gym ripped off in the wind storm. Photos by DAN THALMANN & TONYA WEICHE
    The side of a slanted roof on the Barnes gym ripped off in the wind storm. Photos by DAN THALMANN & TONYA WEICHE

Damage reports came in from around the county on Wednesday as a windstorm swept through the area, knocking out power and causing widespread tree damage. There was building damage reported, including shingles lost, business canopies torn off, sheds and barns damaged or lost and other property damage.

As a result of downed power lines, power was lost in several towns across the county, some for several hours or into Thursday morning. Power outages were a major problem statewide. Evergy Inc.’s Chief Customer Officer, Charles Caisley, said this was one of the largest, if not the largest, number of outages in company history.