Released on May 19, 2026
(Kansas City, KS) – The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is responding to widespread power outages across Wyandotte County following severe storms that caused extensive damage to BPU’s electric distribution system overnight.
Due to the significant impact and widespread nature of the damage, BPU estimates that power restoration efforts will continue through late tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, May 20.
All available BPU electric crews are actively working restoration efforts, and mutual aid crews from neighboring public utilities have been dispatched to assist with restoring power across the community.
Customers who remain without power are encouraged to prepare for extended outages by:
- Conserving phone battery life and limiting unnecessary device use
- Identifying alternate locations to charge phones or essential medical devices if needed
- Making arrangements for medications or refrigerated items
- Checking on elderly neighbors or vulnerable family members
- Having a safe place to stay if conditions become unsafe or temperatures become extreme
Customers should continue reporting outages to BPU’s 24/7 outage line at (913) 573-9522. Reports made through the outage line go directly to dispatchers coordinating restoration efforts in real time.
For safety:
- Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines
- Treat all downed lines as energized
- Report dangerous situations or downed lines to 911 immediately
For media inquiries, please contact Amber Oetting, director of communications and marketing, at aoetting@bpu.com or (913) 573-9049.
About BPU
The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility providing electric and water services to more than 67,000 electric and 53,000 water customers in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Learn more at bpu.com.
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