Douglas County faces two rounds of severe storms, hail and tornado risk

Douglas County got a warning that did not read like a routine spring shower forecast. The National Weather Service in Topeka flagged an enhanced risk for severe storms Thursday, with one round expected in the afternoon and evening and another possible Saturday and Sunday.

Forecasters said the first line of storms could organize as it moved east, bringing damaging wind gusts, large hail and even a couple of tornadoes. That kind of setup can change a school pickup, a commute or a youth game in a hurry, especially if warnings are issued while families are already on the road.

Winds were expected to gust as high as 35 mph Thursday afternoon and evening, adding another hazard for drivers and anyone with loose outdoor items. Residents were urged to secure patio furniture, trash bins and anything else that could blow around, keep phones charged and know where to shelter if a warning was issued.

Friday was expected to offer a short break, with mostly sunny skies, a high near 71 and a low around 47. But that pause was only temporary. Forecasters said the next system remained uncertain in the details, yet still had the potential to turn strong, with showers possible Saturday afternoon, storms later in the day and an 80% chance of precipitation overnight into Sunday.

The weather pattern carried the kind of day-to-day impact that matters across Douglas County, from Lawrence streets to outlying roads and neighborhoods where power lines, trees and open spaces can make storm damage worse. Even when a forecast is unsettled, the risk of hail, wind damage and brief tornado development means residents have to plan ahead rather than react at the last minute.

If storms knock out power, Evergy’s outage map can help track outages, and the utility’s outage reporting line is part of the response. If downed power lines are arcing or touching trees, stay away and treat the area as dangerous. Call 911 if a line is on the ground or if a fire starts. After the danger has passed, Douglas County residents can also use county emergency management alert signups and report storm damage through the county’s nonemergency numbers. The message was simple: in a two-round storm setup, the first warning may not be the only one that matters.