Photo courtesy Kansas Highway PatrolInterstate 70 remains closed between the Manhattan (mm 313) and Wamego (mm 327) exits after storms knocked down power lines Monday, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Officers say the closure could remain in effect for several hours as crews work to repair and replace the power poles. Strong winds of between 60 to 90 mph toppled power lines on K-177 as well and knocked over semi trucks in other parts of the state including Shawnee County and on Interstate 35.
No injuries have been reported.
Severe storms shook the region Monday morning producing torrential rains, which caused lowland flooding including in Manhattan, where street flooding was evident near downtown and near the 4th and Bluemont Ave. roundabout. Manhattan Fire officials had to help a handful of motorists navigate the high waters and briefly blocked off access to the roundabout.
Manhattan firefighters push an SUV out of a flooded roadway along Bluemont Ave. Monday morning. (Brandon Peoples/KMAN)
Tennis ball sized hail was reported near Abilene, and tree limbs were also knocked down near Grandview Plaza as a result of the morning storms.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Chad Omitt tells KMAN their office saw the rare case of 60 to 90 mph winds, along with and sometimes at the same, very large hail throughout the region.
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