Severe storm causes damage across Newton

NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) – On Sunday, a tornado-warned storm moved through the area, knocking down trees, damaging buildings, and causing numerous power outages. The cities of Burrton and Halstead have since declared local states of emergency.

According to Harvey County Emergency Management, the U.S. National Weather Service – Wichita office concluded its damage assessment Monday evening. Results indicate that damage in the county was caused by straight-line winds. Evidence did not indicate a tornado.

No storm-related injuries were reported.

Newton USD 373 canceled classes for students on Monday, May 20, due to power outages and storm damage.

According to Newton Schools , Chisholm Middle School sustained building damage, including having the roof peeled up; a downed tree and branches; the HVAC unit was overturned, which resulted in some leaking; a broken gas line; and new playground equipment being stored in pods was blown across the parking lot.

School is planned for Tuesday, as the power is expected to be fully recovered across the town by the time school starts. Staff and students may have to make small changes to accommodate the areas being worked on.

Damage was also reported at Newton City-County Airport.

KSN News spoke with one resident on Monday morning after the storm Sunday.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was gonna be. Um, we have a big privacy fence, and it’s pretty damaged in a couple of spots. Big limbs I need to cut down and get out of there. We actually had a tree at our neighbor’s house uproot, so we’re pretty lucky, all things considered,” Devin Stilwell, Newton resident, said.

To see the latest Evergy power outages, click here.

KSN News has learned that the American Red Cross Shelter at Newton Fire/EMS Station 3, 2520 S. Kansas, is now closed, but the organization is coordinating assistance for one family whose home was damaged.

Several county roads remain closed due to downed power lines or debris. The current list includes the following:

• Southwest 36th Street from South Old Settlers Road to South Halstead Road
• South River Park Road from U.S. Highway 50 to West First Street
• North River Park Road from West First Street to Northwest 12th Street
• Burmac Road from U.S. 50 to Northwest 12th Street
• South Halstead Road from Southwest 36th Street to 10th Street
• Southwest 14th Street from Cow Palace Road to Plum Street
• Southwest 24th Street from South Halstead Road to East Street

Newton tree limb cleanup

Newton said public works will be collecting limbs downed in Sunday night’s storms at 7 a.m. Wednesday. It will start in Street Maintenance Area 1, east of South Pine, between Southeast 14th Street and East First Street. The crews will work their way through each maintenance area in order (see attached map). Crews will do one pass down every street.

The city says residents must stack limbs in neat piles at the curb, and the pickup is for limbs only.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.