LJWorld.com / Storms soak Lawrence

Archive for Friday, May 13, 2005

May 13, 2005

A series of thunderstorms ripped through the Lawrence area Thursday evening, damaging trees and power lines and leaving patches of the city without electricity.

Westar Energy spokeswoman Karla Olsen said an estimated 950 customers in Lawrence lost power in the storm, making it the worst-hit city in Westar's coverage area. The power went out when the leading edge of a powerful storm moved into Lawrence shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday. Olsen said the power substation on Sixth Street had sustained some damage to its circuitry. Consequently, many homes and businesses in central Lawrence were dark for a few hours Thursday night.

A sport utility vehicle turns West onto 23rd Street from Ousdahl Road through high water after heavy rains Thursday evening. Lawrence Police closed the intersection after a car got stuck trying to cross through the flooded intersection.

A second wave of storms hit town about 10 p.m., bringing heavy rain, light hail, and flash-flood warnings for Douglas County. As rains continued to bear down on the city, water levels began to rise on several roadways. Police blocked off the intersection of 23rd Street and Ousdahl Road, but not before at least one motorist was stranded and had to be towed.

While the storm may have resulted in power outages and difficult driving for some Lawrence residents, the precipitation it brought was needed. The storm's first wave, which hit before 7 p.m., dropped approximately .65 inches of rain at the Lawrence Airport, said 6News meteorologist Matt Sayers. By 10:45 p.m., the total rain accumulation for the day had reached 1.28 inches. Before Thursday's rain, the area had received 8.29 inches of precipitation for the year, which is slightly below average, Sayers said.