Early storm damage estimate for Wichita: $300,000

After four days of nonstop repair work, Westar Energy said Monday it has returned power to nearly all of the 70,000 customers who lost electricity following Friday’s wind storm.

As of late Monday night, less than 20 outages affecting about 100 people remained. Officials hoped to have the last of those resolved soon, even as city officials still grappled with the aftermath of winds Friday that reached 100 mph in spots.

Preliminary estimates put the damage to city-served areas at $300,000, said Ken Evans, director of strategic communications for Wichita. But that figure doesn’t include damage at the city’s airports.

Jabara Airport, near 35th Street North and Webb Road, sustained substantial damage, including the collapse of a main hangar. While electricity has been restored to buildings at Jabara, the lights for runways and taxiways are still out. As a result, Evans said, flights are limited to daylight hours only.

Part of the new terminal’s roof at the Eisenhower National Airport in west Wichita sustained minor damage and will need to be replaced.

“We don’t expect any delay (in the terminal’s construction schedule) caused by that,” Evans said.

The storm caused no delays or other operational issues at the airport’s existing terminal, he said.

City maintenance crews had to repair traffic signals at 65 intersections as a result of the storm, said Joe Pajor, deputy director of public works. They had to correct “issues” at another 35 intersections, he said.

Woodlawn from Mainsgate to K-96 reopened for traffic late Monday afternoon. Crews were able to clear intersections blocked by trees and limbs knocked down by the storm, Pajor said.

So many people brought storm debris to the Brooks Landfill on Saturday – 720 loads, about 10 times the normal volume – that city officials have extended the window for bringing storm debris to the landfill for free until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Pajor said.

Only items typically allowed at the landfill are permitted: roofing materials, wood, wood products, wall or floor coverings, plaster, drywall, plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring, electrical components containing no hazardous materials and non-asbestos insulation. Household hazardous wastes will not be accepted.

A contractor working for Westar Energy drilled into a 24-inch water main at Woodlawn and 29th North, Pajor said. That knocked out water service to numerous residences and Jackson Elementary at 2717 N. Woodlawn.

Temporary connections restored water service to the affected area, Pajor said, but a timetable for a permanent repair is not yet available. The city doesn’t have the ability to make the repair itself, he said, so bids are being sought from outside contractors.

While water pressure is normal in the areas affected by the water main mishap, Pajor said city officials are concerned about meeting the needs of Jackson Elementary once classes resume. School was not held Monday because of the lack of electricity.

Because it is a school, Pajor said, Jackson has “periods of very high demand” for water, and officials aren’t sure the temporary fix can handle that.

Jackson wasn’t the only local school shuttered Monday due to a lack of electricity. Wineteer Elementary, which is east of McConnell Air Force Base and in the Derby school district, was also closed Monday. Both schools will reopen Tuesday.

Friday morning’s storm brought straight-line winds of up to 100 mph to the metropolitan area, at one point knocking out power for more than 70,000 Westar customers.

A fire on a utility pole Monday knocked out electricity for nearly 2,000 Westar customers in west Wichita, but utility spokeswoman Erin LaRow said that issue was not linked to Friday’s storm damage. Power was restored at around 10 a.m., she said.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Early storm damage estimate for Wichita: $300,000."