TOPEKA, Kan. — Westar Energy is responding to a call for help from Oncor in Dallas. Westar crews will assist Oncor’s efforts to restore power to more than 250,000 people following powerful thunderstorms that swept through the area on Thursday.

Gathered from all over Westar’s service territory, 46 crew members are on their way to Dallas. They were expected to arrive Friday evening, sleep and begin work Saturday morning. At this time, it’s expected that crews will be needed through Tuesday. Linemen and support crews will report back regularly, and Westar will provide updates on Facebook and Twitter to let friends and family know how things are progressing and when crews will return home.

Westar Energy is a member of the Midwest Mutual Assistance Group, which makes it possible for utilities to call upon neighboring utilities and their contractors for help restoring service following a significant event such as a severe storm. In the event of catastrophic damage, utilities reach out for assistance from across the nation.