Minutes after a tornado lifted out of southwest Lawrence Thursday night, Wakarusa Drive and Clinton Parkway were clogged with sightseers in cars and on foot.

As cars snaked their way down nearby Wimbledon Drive, one neighborhood resident cracked, “We better start charging money.” He didn’t identify himself.

Despite warnings to stay in a secure place, onlookers were out near the height of the storm. Here, a train of storm chasers, including a University of Massachusetts pickup truck rigged to track and measure critical storm information, trailed the tornado along U.S. Highway 59 into Lawrence from near Pleasant Grove.

But emergency officials were frustrated with the gawkers, saying the traffic was hampering rescue and recovery efforts. Police quickly moved to block traffic from entering the neighborhood southwest of Clinton Parkway and Inverness Drive.

Officials pleaded with the public to stay away.

“We do understand that a lot of people want to see the damage,” Lawrence Police Sgt. Mike Pattrick said. “We ask that no one come out and see it. Our efforts are being hindered by that.”

No looters had been reported to police, Pattrick said. Late in the evening police received several calls of suspicious people showing up in some of the damaged neighborhoods.

Pattrick said the Kansas National Guard would be called in today to help control the damaged sites.

Lawrence Schools Supt. Randy Weseman said that people concerned about loved ones who may have taken shelter at Free State High School could call a district hot line at 550-3949.

¢ 6News video: Twisters damage several homes¢ 6News video: Home video shows funnel coming from wall cloud¢ 6News video: While many homes were damaged, no serious injuries¢ 6News video: The tornado was estimated at a mile wide at one point¢ Damage, but none dead¢ Apartment complex at center of storm¢ Eyewitnesses describe wrath of tornado¢ ’81 twister hit city’s S.W. side¢ Residents bewildered after narrow escape¢ Officials ask onlookers to stay away¢ Twisters roll across state, but injuries at a minimum¢ Help available for those left homeless by storm¢ Tornado touches down in southwest Lawrence¢Local forecast¢Stories, video, photos from Sunday’s tornadoes