Storms cause 10,700 to lose power

A work truck sits outside fallen power lines on U.S. 54 Thursday near Kingdom City.
A work truck sits outside fallen power lines on U.S. 54 Thursday near Kingdom City.

Thursday morning storms damaged power lines near Kingdom City and Auxvasse.

Kingdom City Manager Curt Warfield said a storm came through the area between 7:20-7:30 a.m., resulting in five to six power lines under stress.

In addition, there were power lines down near the shoulder of U.S. 54, but the highway and Interstate 70 were passable for drivers, Warfield said. Trees were downed, scattering limbs across Kingdom City.

The city of Auxvasse, which has a population of about 980, also has some damage. Auxvasse City Clerk Missy Hooks said trees fell on a couple homes.

"The entire city was out of power," Hooks said, adding the outage lasted from at about 8:30-10 a.m.

No injuries were reported in Kingdom City or Auxvasse, where the 2016 Callaway Youth Expo is taking place.

According to utility company Ameren Missouri, 10,700 customers were out of power in Central Missouri due to downed power lines, high winds and tree damage.

"Crews are out there assessing the damage and restoring the area," Jeff Trammel, Ameren Missouri spokesman, said.