Update: Friday, Aug. 19 at 6:20 p.m.:
The Missouri State Fair has reopened the turnstiles after severe weather knocked out power and caused scattered damage over night. Fair officials opened the gates at about 3 p.m.
Strong winds helped knock over several tents and trailers. The storm also blew over trees and power lines as it made its way through Sedalia.
Fair Director Mark Wolfe said there were no injuries and Friday night’s grandstand concert would go on as scheduled.
Almost two-thirds of Sedalia was without power Friday morning.
Because of the large amount of debris, the city has established a special collection. All storm-related debris should be placed on the street curb. The city will start pickup on Monday.
Update: Friday August 19th at 11:30 a.m.:
Fair officials said they will not be able to reopen at noon. Some power has been restored, but not to all parts of the fairgrounds.
They are still planning to reopen this afternoon, but they have not set a time.
Update: Friday August 19th at 9:30 a.m.:
Power is still out at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Fair officials said the fairgrounds are closed and all morning fair-related activites have been canceled.
Electric crews are working to restore power so the fair can reopen at noon.
The storm knocked down several tents and trailers, as well as trees and power lines when it blew through overnight.
Livestock owners and concessionaires will be allowed onto the grounds to check their property, but the grounds are closed to the general public.
Fair officials said there were no injuries to people or livestock. They want to make sure the fairgrounds are safe before visitors return to the grounds.
Original Story:
An early morning storm carrying winds up to 70 mph and heavy downpours left thousands without power.
Nearly 9,000 households in the Sedalia area were without power Friday morning. A Pettis County Emergency Management official said some households have had thier power restored.
Widespread damage has been reported in Sedalia. Trees and power lines are down, and tents at the State Fairgrounds have been blown over. Crews are scrambling to get the fairgrounds cleaned up. KMBC is Kansas City is reporting the State Fair will be shut down until at least noon today.
Just west of Jefferson City, about 100 people were without power this morning. The numbers were much greater though in Kansas City. A spokesperson for Kansas City Power & Light says about 100,000 people lost power when the storm went through northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas overnight Thursday. That number is now down to about 50,000.
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(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
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