KCP&L crews work to restore power to millions after storms

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The extreme June heat wave hovering over the Midwest  has extra crews working overtime to make sure your air conditioning continues to run.
            
Kansas City Power and Light crews said Saturday there are no concerns of brownouts here locally, as in years past.

But there are millions of people without power who are also enduring record heat from Ohio to the eastern seaboard.

On Saturday, KCP&L crews left to help restore power poles, electricity and cool air to the 3.9 million left in the dark by overnight hurricane force winds and severe storms.

Thirteen people are dead and three states have issued disaster declarations.

Several Mid-Atlantic states have asked local KCP&L crews for assistance to help get power restored quickly.
             
KCP&L said one utility assisting other utilities help keep costs low for customers here and across the nation.

"So we do this as a way to keep all of our costs low and be able to respond very quickly to help others no matter where they might be," said Bill Herdengen, vice president of operations for KCP&L.

Local crews will be in Ohio for at least two weeks.