Approximately 2,000 Westar Energy customers in Arkansas City were still without power Friday afternoon as the result of a severe thunderstorm that swept through the area knocking down 33 power poles and one main line.
Winfield electric utility customers were being asked to conserve power until midnight because 20 Winfield power poles were snapped off and one electric line was downed by the high winds, according to Pat McCully, Winfield electric utility production supervisor.
In addition, the city usually purchases power from Westar whenever the purchase price is less than it costs the city to generate power. Westar had to limit the amount of power provided Winfield because of the massive power outages in Ark City. Winfield was generating power and restricting some power to industrial customers to cope with the restrictions.
McCully hoped to have the poles up and electric line repaired by midnight.
Westar has 8,800 customers, primarily in the Ark City area, said Karla Olsen, director of corporate communications. The storm that hit about 2 a.m. Friday morning caused 4,100 outages, she said.
“We are working as quickly as we can and will work through the weekend if we have to to get people restored as quickly as possible,” Olsen said.
