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Storm Damages Wichita Buildings And Landmarks, Leaves Many Without Power

Winds reached nearly 90 mph overnight and early Friday morning damaging trees and buildings. KMUW’s Abigail Wilson reports that many  homes and businesses are still without power in Sedgwick County.

City officials are encouraging citizens to use their regular trash services to dispose of broken branches and any landscaping debris resulting from the storm. There will also be free use of the Brooks landfill until Tuesday. Jabara Airport was closed Friday morning because of storm debris on the airfield. Ken Evans with the city of Wichita says the airport also has significant damage.

“The Midwest Corporation hangar is the one that sustained most of the damage. It collapsed on top of six aircraft inside," Evans says. "No one was in the building at the time.”

The airport reopened around noon. The National Weather Service in Wichita reports golf ball sized hail was spotted in in Sedgwick County. Westar Energy is predicting many customers could be without power for a couple of days.

Along with Jabara Airport, the first drop of Joyland's iconic roller coaster was also damaged.

Photo Credit: Hugo Phan