TOPEKA, Kansas (WIBW) – Winds up to 90 mph downed tree limbs and power lines, causing power outages and road closures in downtown Topeka and NOTO.

Some damage was sustained at businesses in the NOTO area: windows were blown out of one building, the awning of another was torn, and there was minor roof damage.

An outdoor seating area between Compass Point and Ballet Folklorico de Topeka was destroyed by wind and rain.

Downtown Topeka saw downed trees, power outages and blocked roads following Wednesday’s storms.

“I really missed it,” said Lydia Armfield, who lives in downtown Topeka. “I had no idea. I looked on social media and people’s houses were a mess.”

When Armfield went outside, she found an entire tree on top of her car.

Given the extent of the damage in her neighborhood, she wondered if a tornado had passed through.

“What happened? Was there a tornado? What happened?” asks Armfield.

Other residents in the area had similar thoughts.

“It looks like a tornado went through,” said Kristi Schutter, who also lives in downtown Topeka. “It’s crazy how many trees are down and the destruction is just unbelievable.”

Schutter only noticed the damage afterwards.

“We heard the wind, we heard the hail, but also the trees falling in the yard and in the street and the power lines. Of course the power went out, but there was no noise,” she says. “So it was really crazy. And then it was just chaos.”

Cleanup efforts are underway, with emergency crews on the scene Thursday to restore power and clear debris.

“I’m just grateful for their commitment and hard work. I know it’s going to take some time. I think we all just have to be patient,” says Schutter. “And we have to allow for these detours and adapt as best we can.”

On Thursday evening, 13 NEWS found that many trees and branches were still down in downtown Topeka.

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