Douglas County braces for severe storms, large hail, tornado risk today

Southern Douglas County was under a severe thunderstorm warning Friday afternoon as a fast-moving line of storms brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, with the broader tornado watch for parts of Kansas lasting until 9 p.m. The National Weather Service in Topeka said the most dangerous weather could include tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.

Forecasters said storms were expected to develop between 1 and 3 p.m. and organize into a line as they moved east-southeast across northeast Kansas. In Douglas County, the outlook called for showers with thunderstorms likely, locally heavy rainfall possible and southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Lawrence was already warm and humid early Friday, with temperatures near 70 degrees shortly before 6 a.m., a setup that favored quick storm development later in the day.

County officials urged residents to sign up for alerts through the Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System, a step that matters most when weather turns quickly and warning lines tighten over the county. With hail this large and winds strong enough to damage trees and power lines, afternoon school dismissal, outdoor events, and travel on wet roads could turn hazardous fast. Flash flooding also remained a concern where heavy rain fell hardest, especially in low-lying spots and along streets that pond water quickly.

The warning level reflected a region already on edge after the April 13 tornado in Ottawa, Kansas, which caused significant damage and downed utility poles in Franklin County. Douglas County has seen major storms before, including the February 28, 2012 tornadoes that affected Harveyville and Douglas and Cloud counties, and the May 28, 2019 Lawrence and Linwood tornado event. For a county that has lived through severe weather before, Friday’s threat was not abstract. The most dangerous conditions were expected to hold through the afternoon and into the evening commute, when hail, wind, and floodwater could all hit at once.