6 p.m. | A grass fire near 199th and Lone Elm Olathe was likely caused by a downed power line.
An Evergy representative reports the "excessive heat was likely a contributing factor" to a crossarm breaking, falling and igniting the grass fire.
About 1,900 customers were affected. Their power was restored within an hour of the incident.
5:30 p.m. | The blazing heat and drought may have combined to cause a 12-inch water main break Wednesday afternoon on Nall Avenue between West 75th and West 83rd streets in Prairie Village.
About 40 customers will be without water until 10 p.m., according to a WaterOne spokesperson. Repairs personnel are already on the scene.
12:30 p.m. | You weren't imagining things, Wednesday got started with record-setting warmth, beating the previous record of 78 degrees — set in 1969 — by 1 degree.
It's a record warm start to the day in KC today! More extreme humidity expected today making our heat index climb to 110-115° this afternoon. Hang on... I promise the end is in sight! @kshb41 pic.twitter.com/dmfYD5PXRz
— ☀️ Cassie Wilson (@CassieKSHB) August 23, 2023
Kansas City-area high school sporting teams were out practicing through the muggy morning before the heat index rose to triple digits. One soccer player with Bishop Miege High School, which is holding morning practices through the week, told KSHB 41 News reporter Daniela Leon that but morning practices are "better" than the alternative.
As for the Kansas City, Missouri, Public School District, football teams have been holding practices indoors. Friday's game between Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and Cameron High School was moved back an hour to 8 p.m. due to high temperatures.
While student athletes can escape the heat after practice, others in the Kansas city area don't have that luxury. Those seeking a safe space to stay can view the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services' cooling center map online.
9:20 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly declared drought emergencies, watches and warnings for counties across the state of Kansas.
In the Kansas City area, Douglas, Johnson, Franklin and Miami counties were placed on a drought warning, while Leavenworth, Jefferson and Wyandotte counties are on a drought watch.
Kelly declared a drought emergency for 55 counties across central and southeastern Kansas. 18 counties are on a drought warning, while 32 counties are under a drought watch.
The full list of counties that fall under each drought category can be viewed below:
Counties that fall under the emergency category are eligible to use water from select state fishing lakes and federal reservoirs, dependent on approval from the Kansas Water Office.
“Kansans have been resilient in the face of drought this past year,” Kelly said. “Even with some regions receiving significant rainfall, I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to be mindful of ways we can conserve water and minimize fire hazards.”
Kelly's decision comes following a recommendation from Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office and chair of Kelly's Drought Response Team.
“We are still seeing the effects of the drought conditions from the past year. With drought conditions persisting throughout parts of the state, we are continuing to see stressed surface and ground water supplies, negative effects on crop production and elevated wildfire risk,” Owen said in a written statement. “The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”
The high temperatures continue Wednesday in the Kansas City area, with an expected high of 99 degrees and a heat index of 110-120 degrees. The excessive heat warning in place has been extended through Friday at 9 p.m.
RELATED | KSHB 41 Weather forecast
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