Overnight winds gusting as fast as 72 mph left tens of thousands of Des Moines area residents without power today.

Earlier this morning, MidAmerican Energy officials reported more than 27,000 without power across the metro, with hardest-hit areas in Des Moines (17,000 outages), Johnston (700) and West Des Moines (250).

MidAmerican officials summoned crews from surrounding areas to support Des Moines workers. A company spokesman estimated all power would be restored by noon Monday, with more densely-populated areas flickering on soonest.

A severe thunderstorm with powerful wind gusts severed power lines and shredded trees in central and northern Iowa beginning about 3 a.m. today.

The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of 72 mph in Boone and 71 mph in Ames. One unverified storm spotter report clocked a gust in northwest Des Moines at 82 mph, the weather service said.

Today's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the middle 80s, said Craig Cogil, a weather service meteorologist in Johnston.

"It's going to be pleasant," he said. "It should be good weather for those crews fixing power lines and people cleaning debris."