One person died early Sunday after a home was reportedly blown off its foundation and collapsed during severe weather north of Wichita, Kansas, according to county officials.
The incident happened near the Sedgwick and Harvey county line after intense storms moved through the area overnight. Emergency crews were called to the scene around 2:15 a.m. Sunday near I-135 and 125th Street North.
Officials said the first report came from a lineman who was working on a power outage call in the area. The lineman contacted 911 after discovering that a home had been blown off its foundation.
Emergency Call Came After Severe Storms
According to information released by county officials, the call came less than an hour after strong storms swept through the area.
The location was reported to be about six miles east of the town of Sedgwick. The lineman was responding to storm-related power issues when the damaged structure was discovered.
Officials said the building had been blown off its foundation and collapsed. One person was later confirmed dead.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s name, age or other identifying information.
Home Collapsed Near County Line
The incident happened near I-135 and 125th Street North, close to the line between Sedgwick and Harvey counties.
The area had been affected by intense overnight weather, which also appeared to cause power outages. Officials have not yet confirmed whether a tornado, straight-line winds or another storm-related force caused the home to move from its foundation.
Investigators and emergency officials are expected to review the damage as part of the response.
Lineman Reported The Damage
The discovery was made by a lineman who was already in the area handling a power outage call.
While working near the storm-damaged location, the lineman called 911 to report that the home had been blown off its foundation. That call prompted emergency crews to respond to the scene.
Utility workers are often among the first to encounter damage after severe weather, especially when storms bring down power lines or cause widespread outages.
Officials Continue To Assess Damage
County officials have not released many additional details about the collapse.
It remains unclear whether anyone else was inside the structure at the time or whether neighboring homes or buildings were also damaged. Authorities have also not provided details about the extent of storm damage in the surrounding area.
Emergency crews and local officials are expected to continue assessing the scene and checking for additional hazards, including damaged power lines, unstable structures and blocked access roads.
Severe Weather Risks Remain A Concern
Severe storms can create dangerous conditions quickly, especially during overnight hours when people may be asleep and unable to react.
High winds can damage roofs, move vehicles, knock down trees and power lines, and in extreme cases, shift or collapse structures. Officials often urge residents to monitor weather alerts and move to a safe interior room during severe weather warnings.
One person died after a home was blown off its foundation and collapsed north of Wichita early Sunday. The incident was reported near I-135 and 125th Street North after intense storms moved through the area.
A lineman working nearby on a power outage call discovered the damage and contacted 911. Officials have not yet released the victim’s identity, and the cause of the structural collapse remains under review.