Marina
Severe weather wreaked havoc across the Kansas City metropolitan area on May 19, 2025, knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses.
As strong winds, heavy rain, and the threat of tornadoes swept through the region, power outages and property damage surged throughout several counties.
Widespread Power Outages Across Multiple Counties
By 10:45 p.m. Monday, utility company Evergy reported that 12,936 customers were still without power. The most heavily impacted areas include:
| County | Customers Without Power |
|---|---|
| Johnson County, KS | 2,598 |
| Jackson County, MO | 4,501 |
| Clay County, MO | 974 |
The outages stemmed primarily from downed power lines, broken utility poles, and fallen tree limbs, all caused by intense winds accompanying the storms.
Severe Weather Alerts and Tornado Watch
The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado watch for the region, which remained in effect until 9:00 p.m. Monday. Wind gusts exceeding 60 mph were reported in some areas, and emergency services responded to multiple calls regarding storm-related damages.
Weather alerts continued throughout the evening across the Kansas City area, including neighboring counties in both Missouri and Kansas.
Residents were advised to remain indoors, avoid flooded roadways, and steer clear of fallen electrical lines.
Energy’s Response and Restoration Progress
Utility provider Evergy acted quickly, deploying emergency crews immediately after damage reports began surfacing. By 8:15 p.m., power had been restored to approximately 46% of impacted customers.
However, Evergy acknowledged that the worst-hit areas will require extended repair times due to the extent of damage, including multiple broken poles and entangled lines.
Crews have committed to working through the night to safely restore electricity. Evergy urges residents to report outages through their website or customer support and to stay away from downed power lines, as they may still be live and dangerous.
Impact on Local Residents and Services
The outages left many residents without heating, lighting, or internet access during the storm, leading to increased demand at shelters and emergency centers.
In some neighborhoods, traffic signals were down, requiring extra caution for drivers. Emergency management teams are continuing damage assessments and coordinating with local governments to ensure public safety.
The severe storms that struck the Kansas City area on May 19, 2025, brought significant power outages and storm damage across multiple counties.
With Evergy crews actively working to restore services and weather warnings continuing into the night, residents are encouraged to stay informed and cautious.
As recovery efforts continue, community resilience and swift emergency response remain key to overcoming the storm’s aftermath.