Wind, hail batter Kansas, Missouri

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, July 4, 2004

OSWEGO, Kan. – Violent thunderstorms slammed into southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri on Sunday with strong wind, hail and heavy rain that damaged homes and caused widespread power outages.

No injuries were reported from the morning storms.

Oswego had no electrical service Sunday.

“We don’t have a city block in Oswego without some sort of tree damage, roof damage or both,” said Keith Stammer, director of the Labette County Emergency Management Department. “All the trees are laying down from east to west leading to Oswego.”

Utility crews were not expected to restore power until today or Tuesday in the town of 2,000 people, Stammer said.

The town’s Fourth of July celebration was delayed until tonight.

Widespread damage also was reported in Cherokee County, Kan., where one home was destroyed, numerous houses lost roofs and fallen trees blocked roads.

Between 12,000 and 15,000 homes were without power in southern Cherokee County, said Joy Moser, a spokeswoman for the state Division of Emergency Management.

Across the state line in Missouri, much of Newton County had no electricity, and wind damage and minor flooding were reported in Joplin, Neosho, Hornet and Branson.

Trees and power lines were down throughout the county, said Angie Woods, a dispatcher with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.