INDEPENDENCE, Kan. (AP) — The city of Independence has declared a water emergency after a powerful thunderstorm knocked out power to the local treatment plant.

Officials say it could be 18 hours before Westar Energy can repair the damage caused by the storm around 8 a.m. Monday in the southeastern Kansas community.

 

The outage occurred when a possible microburst toppled a pole that supports transformers and power lines that supply the water treatment plant.

City officials were working to shut down heavy water users such as fast-food restaurants, while nursing homes and industries were being asked to conserve water.

More than 3 inches of rain fell during the morning.