8-K

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 8, 2003

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Kansas (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-3368 (Commission File Number)	44-0236370 (IRS Employer Identification Number)
602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri (Address of principal executive offices)	64801 (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100
Not applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 9    Regulation FD Disclosure

        Attached hereto as Exhibit 99 is a press release, which is incorporated by reference herein, issued by the Company on May 8, 2003 regarding storm damage to the Company's service territory and resulting reconstruction expense.

2

SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
	By	/s/  G. A. KNAPP
		Name:	G. A. Knapp
		Title:	Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 8, 2003

3

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99	Press Release, dated May 8, 2003, regarding storm damage to the Company's service territory and resulting reconstruction expense.

4

QuickLinks

Item 9 Regulation FD Disclosure

SIGNATURE
Exhibit Index

EX-99

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 99

[EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY LOGO]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Amy Bass
Director of Corporate Communications
417-625-5114
abass@empiredistrict.com INVESTOR RELATIONS
Janet Watson
Secretary—Treasurer
417-625-5108
jwatson@empiredistrict.com

EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
ANNOUNCES STORM DAMAGE UPDATE AND ESTIMATE

        JOPLIN, MO—May 8, 2003—On Sunday, May 4, 2003, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) service area experienced massive damage as the result of tornadoes. At the height of the storm, approximately 30,000 customers were left without service. As of this morning, service had been restored to all but 2,500 customers.

        The cost of property damage and reconstruction expense is currently estimated to be around $5 million. The extent of insurance reimbursement and the determination of how much of the cost will be considered as construction expenditures are not yet known. The impact on our quarterly earnings per share could be material. However, we do not currently expect the impact on our 2003 results to be material.

        Customers of ours who have damage to their electrical equipment, particularly their meter base, riser, or weatherhead, are encouraged to contact an electrician to have the equipment inspected and repaired, if necessary, to ensure they are ready to receive service.

        We again thank our customers for their patience as we work to restore power. The progress from here to completion will be slower as we continue restoration work and begin the process of picking up single customers.

(more)

Page 2/ Damage Update

        Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned utility providing electric service to approximately 154,000 customers in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas. The Company also provides fiber optic and Internet services and has an investment in close-tolerance, custom manufacturing. Empire provides water service in three incorporated communities in Missouri.

###

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements address future plans, objectives, expectations, and events or conditions concerning various matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of the factors noted in our filings with the SEC, including the most recent Form 10-K.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 99