The city of Independence has declared a water emergency after a powerful thunderstorm knocked out power to the local treatment plant.

Officials told The Independence Daily Reporter it could be 18 hours before Westar Energy can repair the damage caused by the storm around 8 a.m. Monday in the southeastern Kansas community.

The outage occurred when a possible microburst toppled a pole that supports transformers and power lines that supply the water treatment plant.

City officials were working to shut down heavy water users such as fast-food restaurants, while nursing homes and industries were being asked to conserve water.

More than 3 inches of rain fell during the morning.