Severe weather: Saturday, April 25, 2009
49 Storm Tracker was first to report a tornado on the ground, just south of I-70, near Linwood.
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3:54 a.m. The severe thunderstorm warning has expired in Douglas County. Douglas, along with Leavenworth and Jefferson counties, is still under a flood watch.
3:04 a.m. The high wind warning has expired in Douglas County, leaving the area with thunderstorm and flood watches in effect.
1:36 a.m. Douglas County is under a high wind warning, which is set to expire at 3 a.m. A large group of thunderstorms is situated southwest of Lawrence between Iola and Wichita. The storms are moving northeast, but could pass to the south of the Lawrence area.
11:30 p.m. A flash flood warning has been issued for southern Leavenworth County. Douglas County remains under a severe thunderstorm watch.
11:05 p.m. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has identified the Lawrence motorcyclist who died as 45-year-old Troy Gentzler. Gentzler was riding his motorcycle through Jefferson County when he was struck by lightning Saturday night.
10:13 p.m. Douglas County has been placed under a severe thunderstorm watch until 5 a.m. Sunday. The tornado watch for the county has expired.
9:56 p.m. We need to clarify a comment from earlier. Though KMBC was showing video that they said was from Douglas County, it was actually from east of Lawrence. When Bob Newton said there were NO touchdowns reported in Douglas County, he was correct.
9:37 p.m. A 45-year-old Lawrence man taking part in the Bikers Against Child Abuse was killed Saturday night when he was struck by lightning in Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department said the group was visiting kids they've helped previously when he was struck at mile marker 377 on Highway 24, eastbound. A second man, 35-year-old Michael Robinson, was riding with the victim and suffered minor injuries from the jolt.
The man's name was not being releases Saturday night.
9:31 p.m. Only 12 people still without power in Douglas County according to Westar Energy.
9:24 p.m. We're hearing reports of standing water on the road in Grant Township. As a reminder, do not drive through standing water. Even just a few inches can sweep your car away.
9:14 p.m. We just added a video from a reader of tornadic rotation over his house in Lawrence. Check the YouTube video on the left side of the page.
9 p.m. The tornado warning in Leavenworth County has expired. A flash flood and severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for the area.
8:50 p.m. 6News/49News meteorologist Alex Harrington is just south of Tonganoxie and reports seeing a supercell with an appendage hanging beneath it to his north. He can't see any rotation or anything on the ground. The tornado warning is still in effect in Leavenworth County. If you are in Tonganoxie, Basehor or Lansing, seek shelter immediately.
8:42 p.m. We're down to 15 homes without power in Douglas County, according to Westar Energy. Also, the severe thunderstorm warning in Douglas and Jefferson counties is expected to expire at 8:45 p.m.
8:37 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Leavenworth County after doppler radar indicated a possible tornado near Tonganoxie, moving northeast.
8:29 p.m. Only 63 homes in Douglas County are still without power, according to Westar Energy.
8:20 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for extreme north and north-central Douglas County as well as south, southeastern Jefferson County until 8:45 p.m.
8:17 p.m.Damage was extensive along Douglass Road in southern Leavenworth County.
Several witnesses reported a relatively small funnel moved through the area about 7 p.m. Several homes were damaged, including some that had their roofs lifted off, but no homes were totally destroyed.
Barns in the area as well as mobile homes, however, were reported destroyed.
Power was out in the area as well.
Fire crews were going door to door checking with victims. There haven’t been any reports yet of deaths or serious injuries.
— Christine Metz
8:11 p.m. We're getting several reports of water across roads. Highway 40, between E700 and E800, there is water standing and running over the road, but the road remains open. E800 is about 1 mile east of the SLT.
In the town of Clinton, the creeks that run through are high, so continued rain could lead to road closures.
7:56 p.m. We're hearing that the hail has moved through Lawrence. Things seemed to have calmed down for now. We're going to take a break from the minute-by-minute updates.
7:49 p.m. Several witnesses are reporting hail in southwest Lawrence, moving toward the city.
7:43 p.m. We're now up to 202 people without power in Douglas County.
7:35 p.m. Despite KMBC showing video of a tornado on or near the ground in Douglas County, Bob Newton from Douglas County Emergency Management says there have been NO reports of a tornado touching down in Douglas County. Emergency management also reports that the severe weather still moving toward Lawrence has been weakening as it moves through Douglas County.
7:30 p.m. KMBC is reporting that Tonganoxie and Basehor seem to have been spared damage. Tornado damage seems to be mostly south of those communities and along the Kansas Turnpike.
7:24 p.m. An update on that severe thunderstorm: half-dollar sized hail four miles northeast of Overbrook. The storm is heading northeast at 25 miles per hour. It's expected to hit Clinton Lake by 7:40 p.m.
7:18 p.m. Christine Metz near the intersection of Leavenworth County Road 25 and the Kansas Turnpike reports several houses and barns with heavy damage.
7:10 p.m. Reporter Christine Metz is on the scene in southern Leavenworth County. She's seeing damage across a wide swath. We'll have photos and videos soon.
7:02 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for western Douglas County until 7:45 p.m. Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm located 4 miles west of Overbrook, expected to be near Clinton shortly.
7 p.m. TORNADO WARNING EXTENDED INTO WYANDOTTE COUNTY. IT NOW COVERS LINWOOD, TONGANOXIE, BONNER SPRINGS AND EDWARDSVILL. A TORNADO WAS ON THE GROUND BUT THAT CANNOT CURRENTLY BE CONFIRMED. IF YOU'RE IN THAT AREA, SEEK SHELTER NOW.
6:58 p.m. Westar Energy is now reporting 195 homes in Douglas County without power.
6:54 p.m. Westar Energy is now reporting 159 homes in Douglas County without power.
6:52 p.m. A tornado remains near the Kansas Turnpike just west of the Eastern Terminal toll plaza. A debris cloud can be seen.
6:47 p.m. A tornado remains on or near the ground at 174th Street and K32. Lots of debris flying around.
6:42 p.m.There are now 28 homes without power in Douglas County. A tornado remains on the ground in Leavenworth County moving east, northeast.
6:40 p.m. Lawrence remains under a tornado watch and flood advisory. Areas north and east of Lawrence are now in the line of storms.
6:38 p.m. LIVE STREAMING VIDEO FROM THE 6Weather STORM TRACKER SHOWS A TORNADO ON THE GROUND FOLLOWING THE KANSAS TURNPIKE. WARNING EXTENDED TO LEAVENWORTH COUNTY. SEEK SHELTER IN LEAVENWORTH COUNTY NOW.
6:29 p.m. Westar Energy is reporting 18 houses without power and that number keeps increasing.
6:22 p.m. Douglas County officials are repositioning spotters because of another strong storm cell moving across the Douglas County line from Shawnee County. Mostly heavy rain associated with that cell.
6:19 p.m. An urban and small stream flash flood advisory is in effect 7:15 p.m. Also, spotters are reporting tornado touchdowns north of Lawrence.
6:12 p.m. TORNADO WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6:45 P.M. Emergency dispatchers report that a house in Lawrence has been struck by lightning.
6:05 p.m. 6News Chief Meteorologist says hail of 1" or greater has been reported. Several witnesses report "heavy" rotation in the area northwest of the SLT and Iowa Street.
6:02 p.m. Reporter Jesse Fray near the intersection of Clinton Parkway and the South Lawrence Trafficway reports rotation in the area. 6News Meteorologist Matt Elwell said the 6News Towercam shows some lowering, but there are no reports of any tornadoes on the ground.
5:59 p.m. Emergency dispatchers have reported a person was struck by lightning near the Clinton Lake Dam Tower. If you're not in a safe place, SEEK SHELTER NOW.
5:57 p.m. 6News meteorologist Alex Harrington is located west of the intersection of Kansas Highway 10 and Iowa Street. He reports heavy rain, lightning and hail. Douglas County officials report the worst of the storm is moving across Clinton Lake right now. Visibility is marginal in areas along the SLT. THE WORST OF THE STORM IS MOVING INTO LAWRENCE NOW. SEEK SHELTER IN A LOW OR INTERIOR ROOM.
5:51 p.m. A storm with large hail and rotation is heading toward Clinton Dam, Clinton Lake, Clinton State Park and SW Lawrence. Another storm is near Lecompton moving west, northwest. Areas in Lawrence in the line of fire include areas along the South Lawrence Trafficway, and along and north of Sixth Street near Wakarusa Drive, Folks Road and Queens Road. TAKE SHELTER NOW.
5:44 p.m.
Rotation was reported in the southwest corner of Douglas County. Residents in a mobile home should take cover.
5:42 p.m.
The Tornado Warning for Douglas County has been extended until 6:15 p.m.
5:40 p.m.
A storm capable of producing a tornado and quarter-sized hail is expected to hit Clinton State Park at 5:45 p.m.
5:25 p.m.
6Weather and 49News meteorologist Alex Harrington is tracking the storm and will have photos shortly. Stay logged on to LJWorld.com.
5:20 p.m.
A TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NW Douglas County until 5:45 p.m. The alert was upgraded from a watch to a warning.
4:50 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for part of Douglas, Shawnee, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties.
At 4:54 p.m. trained weather spotters reported a severe thunderstorm producing quarter-size hail located near Scranton and moving northwest toward extreme northwest Douglas County
A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect in Jefferson and Leavenworth counties, as dopplar radar is indicating a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail was moving northwest from central Jefferson County toward Leavenworth County.
A tornado watch remains in effect across the area.
3:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a flood watch for Douglas County effective Sunday afternoon until Monday morning.
Widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall will develop across the region on Sunday afternoon and continue through the night, according to the National Weather Service. Two to four inches of rain are possible.
Comments
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karkinrich (anonymous) says…
Bring it on Mother Nature!
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
What should I do, Katie?
willie_wildcat (anonymous) says…
The sirens were going off here and I am over off of Haskell and 23rd...
Boeing (anonymous) says…
Weather Channel is saying it's for Northern Douglas County, not just NW Douglas County, which could/would explain sirens at 23rd and Haskell
flclhack (Maxwell Butterfield) says…
Shoot, I ain't scared of no tornado.
My trailer will keep me safe.
willie_wildcat (anonymous) says…
Makes sense. Thanks Boeing!!! I am sitting here watching KSNT as Katie Horner would tell us all to panic as it's the end of the world.
townie79 (anonymous) says…
sirens going off here for a while i'm at 6th and folks
flclhack (Maxwell Butterfield) says…
Hmm.
I'm actually starting to not like this.
Stupid weather people trying to make me crap my pants.
willie_wildcat (anonymous) says…
flclhack-That's their jobs....Seems that the storm wants to come my way....Stupid nature and her hissy fits!
truman1902 (anonymous) says…
Is Chipotle still open??
nouseforaname (anonymous) says…
I like it how all my neighbors are outside staring up at the sky. Typical of Kansans when the sirens go off.
flclhack (Maxwell Butterfield) says…
And where are you, nouseforaname?
Outside, watching them?
dandelion (anonymous) says…
Tom, you might keep an eye on the weather. They mentioned Linwood earlier on channel 9. I prefer 9, they aren't so dramatic.
findaway (anonymous) says…
lets go kick mother nature in the ovaries for her hissy pms fits!!
flclhack (Maxwell Butterfield) says…
Struck by lightning?
I guess you're right, nouseforaname.
Probably should stay inside, at least.
RalphReed (Ralph Reed) says…
Tom, Dandelion is right.
Weather has it Northern Douglas County and into Leavenworth County.
Watch the weather.
TheYetiSpeaks (anonymous) says…
In light of these events, I think its now obvious that these storms have been caused by the homeless or gangstas from Topeka.
truman1902 (anonymous) says…
Now's a good time to yank the laptop from the power cord and check out CNBC.com for even more depressing news!!
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…
How many dead people are there? These media types love to report on dead people. Makes their advertisers just go ape!!!
RalphReed (Ralph Reed) says…
Channel 9 says a warning between Eudora and Linwood.
Chopper is 2 mi west of Linwood.
britt408 (anonymous) says…
phew. we can all remove our bike helmets now.
i was surprised katie horner didn't rush onto the tv set in her pj's telling us to panic.
djneibarger (anonymous) says…
I thought a watch was when conditions were favorable for tornadoes and a warning was when one was spotted. No one ever spotted one.. why do i have a headache now from the sirens going off every 5 minutes?
Calliope877 (anonymous) says…
My cable got knocked out and it says "no signal". Anybody know how I can reset it?
djneibarger (anonymous) says…
have you tried unplugging the box for 30 seconds and plugging it back in?
tinytim (anonymous) says…
You should be watching KMBC. They have amazing footage of the tornado touchdown--near Linwood...
willie_wildcat (anonymous) says…
tinytim-It is really good footage of the tornado....
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Passed 1-1/2 mile south of my area.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
britt408 (anonymous) says…
katie horner is on the air! start panicking!
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
there was a nado, but it stayed off the ground, and boy are we lucky in lawrence from near 15th and wak, line to near lmh, continue across river and as it crossed, it disorganized. apparently reformed for tongie/linwood suburbs.
lawrence just dodged a very big bullet.
g_rock (anonymous) says…
I still wanna know if the person that got hit by lightening on the Clinton Dam was a storm watcher???
And what about all the thousands of lucky camper folks at the raceway? THAT would have been a mess.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
I heard reports of a motorcyclist struck by lightning...
Boeing (anonymous) says…
"there was a nado, but it stayed off the ground"
Then it wasn't a tornado, it was a funnel cloud...
markmarquez (anonymous) says…
holla! Katie was almost out the door and she came running back on the air to annouce a tornado warning! she is going to town on this bad boy now!!!! look how excited she is!!
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
you're right Boeing.
nevertheless, we dodged a big bullet.
didn't see much from the current severe thunderstorm warning!
markmarquez (anonymous) says…
Katie just made the director go full screen from a split screen view so she could give us a tornado warning because a split screen would not convey to us the importance of this warning. shes the best!!
southernmiss (anonymous) says…
"Alex Harrington is just south of Tonganoxie and reports seeing a supercell with an appendage hanging beneath it to his north."
what?
farmgal (anonymous) says…
I'm loving all the Katie Horner comments. It's nice to see that
I'm not the only one that is annoyed by her. Good Lord, she and some of the other weather alarmists are narcissistic.
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
That's so sad to hear about the biker. I've heard of this organization before and I think it's a really great thing that they do for these children. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this man.
markmarquez (anonymous) says…
First let me finish tonight by saying I too am sadden about the biker. I ride and do charity and this is awful. Second, I am happy there was no lost of life due to any tornado(s) and I hope the families who lost their homes recover quickly.
Finally,I could not go to bed this evening without saying good night Katie! You came on late and stayed on air until the stormed passed and even stayed until the sprinkles went away! Sleep tight and I see there is rain in the forecast for the upcoming week!! I will see you then as you interupt regular programming and let me know how to prepare for a tornado warning. Before you came I had no idea what to do! I would hear the sirens for a tornado warning and run outside to sit in an open field. Even when the old EBS(emergency broadcasting system) came on and told me there was a tornado warning I was confused. Thank God you are on tv every second during a storm to tell to exactly what to do and what not to do. I once was lost and now I am found!
justchuck (anonymous) says…
terrible about the biker. a good guy and a freak accident.