By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Strong storms packing extremely high winds roared through the area very early this morning, downing power lines, breaking off tree limbs, and tearing off a portion of the Patee House Museum in downtown St. Joseph.
Evergy reported that approximately 15,000 St. Joseph area customers lost power, now under 12,000.
St. Joseph police report strong winds took off a portion of the Patee House roof, dropping it at the intersection of 13th and Penn Streets, blocking traffic for a time. Police also report damage to some buildings at the Gene Field Apartments.
Trees and powers lines were down throughout the city from the storm which hit the area around 1am.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning early in the morning, which lasted a little more than an hour.
Damage also has been reported at Wathena and Elwood, Kansas; then in Atchison as the storm traveled south.