BPU Outage Map: Tracking and Reporting Power Outages in Kansas City, Kansas
A summer windstorm can turn a normal evening in Kansas City into a race to find out when the lights will come back. In July 2023, a major windstorm left nearly 200,000 people across the Kansas City metro without power at its peak. If you live on the Kansas side, the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, or BPU, is the utility you need to check. This guide covers where to find the BPU outage map, how to report an electric or water problem, and how BPU decides which repairs come first. It also covers what you can do at home when an outage lasts longer than expected, including ways to keep a refrigerator and essential medical equipment running.
Which BPU Is This, and Which Outage Map Do You Need?
BPU is a community-owned utility that provides electric and water service. It serves more than 67,000 electric customers and 53,000 water customers across Wyandotte County and parts of Johnson County, Kansas. That matters because a "BPU outage" can mean two different things. Your electricity may be out, or you may be dealing with a water outage or main break.
Find the BPU electric outage map
The electric outage map is the Web Outage Viewer at outage.bpu.com. BPU says the map lets customers see outages down to the street level. It can also show the extent of an outage, repairs that have been completed, and outages that remain. BPU does not have a confirmed live water outage map in the same way. Water outage and main break notices are handled separately, including through BPU's text alert system. And if you live on the Missouri side of Kansas City, make sure you're checking the right utility. This guide is specifically for Kansas City, Kansas, and the BPU service area. For families across the metro who have dealt with a Kansas City power outage, the map is a good first check when the lights go out.
The Kansas City Storms Behind Most BPU Outages
Kansas City gets its share of severe weather, and different storms create different problems for the power system. Summer wind can bring down trees and limbs. Winter ice can weigh down branches and power lines.
Summer windstorms
The July 14, 2023 windstorm is a good example. The National Weather Service reported that nearly 200,000 people across the Kansas City metro lost power at the peak of the storm. Roughly 60,000 customers were still without power the following day. Wind gusts reached 60 mph in Kansas City, Kansas, and 70 mph at Maywood in Wyandotte County. The National Weather Service also recorded an 89 mph gust near Lenexa, although that reading came from a personal weather station. Strong winds don't need to hit a power pole directly to cause an outage. Trees and large limbs can fall across lines and damage equipment.
Ice storms
Winter brings a different problem. During the February 5 to 7, 2019 ice storm, the National Weather Service reported continued ice buildup on trees and power lines across the region. The reported ice accumulation was roughly one-quarter to one-half inch across the region, with about one-third to one-half inch measured at the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill. Ice adds weight to branches and lines. When that weight combines with wind, trees can break and pull down nearby equipment. You can also read about how ice accumulation causes power outages and why even moderate ice can create problems.
Common outage threats in Kansas City
Weather threat | What it can damage |
Thunderstorm wind | Trees, branches, poles, and power lines |
Ice | Tree limbs, power lines, and equipment |
Tornadoes | Poles, lines, transformers, and other electrical equipment |
Hail | Electrical equipment and other exposed property |
Storm damage can affect a single street or a much larger part of the service area. That difference also affects where your home falls in BPU's repair order.
Backup Power While BPU Works Down Its Repair List
BPU restores power in stages, starting with generation, transmission, and substations. Crews then move to public health and safety facilities, main lines, neighborhood taps, and individual service lines. A damaged service line to your home may therefore be repaired later in the process.
Estimate your refrigerator runtime
For example, a refrigerator rated at about 630 kWh per year uses roughly 1.7 kWh per day, or 71 watts on average. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max has 2,048Wh of capacity, with about 1,741Wh usable at 85%. That works out to roughly 24 hours of refrigerator runtime. Check your appliance's EnergyGuide label for a more accurate estimate.
Plan for a multi-day outage
The standard EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X provides 12,000Wh. At 85% usable capacity, that's about 10,200Wh, or 3,400Wh per day over three days. If the refrigerator uses about half, roughly 1,700Wh per day remains for lights, a gas furnace blower, and phone charging. Actual runtime depends on your appliances and usage.
Recharge when needed
If the outage lasts longer, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max can reach 80% charge in 68 minutes with generator charging. Keep generators outdoors and at least 20 feet from building openings, following FEMA and Ready.gov guidance. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max app also includes Storm Guard Mode, which can automatically activate backup charging ahead of severe weather alerts.
Consider whole-home backup
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is an installed system with 12kWh of storage and 12kW of output. It can expand to 180kWh and 36kW and requires a licensed electrician. Depending on the setup, it can support central AC, an electric range, a well pump, and an electric water heater. Renters need landlord approval. For CPAP users and others relying on medical equipment, this medical equipment backup plan can help you prepare. For smaller backup needs, a portable power station is easier to move and use where needed.
If you only need to keep a few essential devices running during an outage, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max offers a more portable and flexible backup option.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max plugs in wherever you need backup power, making it a practical choice for apartments and rentals. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X supports selected household circuits, making it better suited to homeowners preparing for multi-day ice events. With your backup power covered, the next step is making sure BPU knows about your outage or water issue through the right line.
How to report a BPU outage: Electric vs. water
If you see a downed power line or anyone is in danger, stay away and call 911 first. BPU warns customers not to touch or approach downed wires. Once the area is safe, use the appropriate BPU line to report an electric or water outage and get the issue to the right team.
BPU outage numbers
BPU handles electric, water, and life-support needs through separate phone lines. Use the number that matches your situation so your outage or service issue reaches the right team.
Service | Number | When to call |
Electric outage | 913-573-9522 | Power outage, downed line, or an object on a line. Available 24/7. |
Water outage | 913-573-9622 | Water outages from 8 a.m. to midnight on weekdays. |
Water after hours | 913-573-9522 | Water issues from midnight to 8 a.m. on weekdays, and at any hour on weekends and holidays. |
Life Support | 913-573-9928 | Register your account if you depend on a medical device. |
Check a few things first
Before calling, check for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. See whether your neighbors are also without power. You can also look at the service wire running from the pole to your home, but don't approach it if it appears damaged. When you call BPU, have your name, address, phone number, and possible cause of the outage ready. During a major storm, you may get a busy signal. That's when the BPU outage map can be especially useful.
Stay safe around power lines
Tree limbs can cause problems after severe weather. Don't trim branches near power lines yourself. BPU's Line Drop Service at 913-573-9535 can lower a service line when tree work is needed. For more storm-preparation tips, see this guide to severe thunderstorm safety at home. Once you've reported the outage, BPU's text alerts and restoration process can help you understand what happens next.
BPU Text Alerts and the Restoration Order Explained
BPU sends text alerts about electric outages, water outages, leaks, and maintenance from 80213. Customers with a cell number on file are enrolled automatically. To update your number, call 913-573-9190. You can text QUIT to 80213 to opt out.
How BPU restores power
BPU follows a set order when restoring service. Crews start with the larger parts of the system and essential services before moving toward individual homes.
Restoration priority | What BPU repairs |
System generation | Generation facilities |
Transmission | Transmission lines |
Substations | Substations |
Essential services | Public health and safety facilities |
Main lines | Main distribution lines |
Neighborhood lines | Tap lines and transformers |
Individual service | Service lines to individual homes |
This helps explain why your neighbor across the alley might get power back first. Their home may be connected to a different tap line that crews have already repaired. BPU's current outage guidance follows the same basic approach. Crews address safety hazards, essential services, areas affecting the most customers, and then individual service problems. If an outage lasts for days, knowing how long a power outage can last can help you plan for food, medicine, and other essentials.
Conclusion
The BPU outage map at outage.bpu.com lets Kansas City, Kansas, residents check electric outages and repair progress. The 24/7 electric outage line is 913-573-9522, while water outages use separate reporting hours. Before the next ice storm or severe thunderstorm, make sure BPU has your current cell number for alerts. If someone in your home depends on powered medical equipment, register for BPU's Life Support program and plan backup power around the equipment you actually use. For portable essentials, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max can keep individual devices and appliances running. Homeowners looking to back up selected circuits can consider the installed EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X.
FAQs
Where is the BPU outage map?
The BPU electric outage map is available through the Web Outage Viewer at outage.bpu.com. It shows electric outages and provides street-level information about affected areas and repairs.
What number do I call for a BPU power outage?
Call 913-573-9522, BPU's electric outage line, which is available 24/7. If you see a downed power line or someone is in immediate danger, stay away from the line and call 911.
How do I report a BPU water outage or main break?
Call 913-573-9622 for water outages and main breaks from 8 a.m. to midnight on weekdays. Outside those hours, BPU lists 913-573-9522 for water issues: from midnight to 8 a.m. on weekdays, and at any hour on weekends and holidays.
Why is my BPU power still out when my neighbors have power back?
BPU restores power in stages, starting with larger parts of the electrical system and essential services before moving to neighborhood lines and individual service lines. Your home and your neighbor's home may also be connected to different lines. So one house can get power back while another nearby house remains out.
How long can a portable power station keep my fridge running during a BPU outage?
It depends on your refrigerator's energy use. A refrigerator averaging 71 watts could run for about 24 hours on an EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max after inverter losses, assuming it's the only load. This is a planning estimate, so check your refrigerator's EnergyGuide label and account for other devices.
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