Junction City and the surrounding region were hit by gusty winds and heavy rain during the early morning hours on Sunday.

At 2:10 a.m. Sunday Westar Energy reported 3,102 power outages in Geary County, 1,792 in Riley County, and 1,151 in Dickinson County. By 3:05 a.m. those numbers were decreasing to 2,153 in Geary, but had risen to 2,093 in Riley County. At that time Dickinson County reported 715 power outages. Crews were working to make repairs.

Geary County Emergency Management and police dispatch  confirmed multiple power outages in Junction City in different parts of the community, and tree damage.  The County’s Emergency Management Director Garry Berges reported most of the damage that could be seen by authorities in Geary was in the Junction City area. “Downed power lines and trees blocking some roadways.” Berges noted Westar was out restoring electricity. “We’ve been up in the Milford Township area and also west of town, and not finding any road blockage at this point.

Wind gusts were reported by the National Weather Service at 72 mph two miles north-northeast of Junction City, 60 mph ten miles south of Junction City.

Tree damage was also being reported by the National Weather Service in Manhattan.

A severe thunderstorm watch is effect until 5 a.m. Sunday.