News Releases

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Mar. 7, 2022 – The Evergy service area experiences a wide variety of severe weather storms during the spring and summer seasons including potential tornados, damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding. In conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week, Evergy encourages its customers to be prepared ahead of inclement weather. With safety being a priority during severe weather, Evergy offers the following tips so customers can be ready for spring storm season. 

• Monitor weather conditions in your area for potential storms.
• Keep your phone and other necessary electronics charged.
• Stay severe-weather and storm ready by making an emergency kit for your home, workplace and vehicles.
• If you rely on electronic medical equipment, have a plan in case a large storm causes extended outages. Enrollment in the Evergy medical customer program can provide additional communication during storms.
• Unplug appliances and electric devices (televisions, computers, gaming consoles, phone chargers, etc.), in the event of a looming storm. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a lightning strike near an electric pole can cause a surge of electricity, far larger than the 169 volts of electricity a wall outlet generally can withstand.
• If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity can travel through plumbing and phone lines.
• Fill up your car with gas ahead of time.
• If tree limbs are touching or near power lines, don’t come into contact with them. (Safety During Power Restoration). Downed trees are a primary cause of outages during storms.

Customers can report or confirm outages at evergy.com/outages. You can also track outages via Evergy’s outage map. To view a complete list of severe weather safety tips, please visit Evergy’s Severe Weather Safety website.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the National Weather Service will conduct a Tornado Drill at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 8. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the drill by practicing seeking secure, safe shelter from a tornado. This test will be broadcast over NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio. Residents should treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. The purpose of the drill is to test everyone’s readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornado, flash floods and damaging winds. Local officials are encouraged to sound their warning sirens to initiate the drill. 

About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

Media Contact:                                                            
Gina Penzig                                                                                               
Manager, External Communications                                                         
Phone: 785.508.2410                                                                                
gina.penzig@evergy.com                                             
Media Line: 888-613-0003