Strong winds and rain sent people in downtown Lawrence scrambling for cover on Wednesday, August 11, 2010.

A severe thunderstorm blew through Lawrence on Wednesday afternoon, downing trees and power lines but largely confining itself to the area.

High winds from a fast-moving system Wednesday afternoon brought down power lines and other debris. A tree limb smashed the front windshield on a Lexus wagon in the city parking lot between New Hampshire and Rhode Island just north of Sixth Street. To add insult to injury, this car also received a parking ticket for backing into the space.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Douglas County shortly before 5 p.m.

According to 6News meteorologist Matt Elwell, the storm was not moving fast but had high winds because the storm collapsed on Lawrence.

“This storm was pretty fierce, but only in local areas,” he said.

By 5:30, there were reports of multiple power lines down. A fire from a lightning strike was reported in the 1500 block of East 24th Street. Stoplights at 14th and Massachusetts streets were also out. About 6:10, the 1100 block of East 1500 Road was closed because of a power line across the road. Tree limbs fell throughout the city, some blocking roads. As many as 1,800 people were without power during the storm, according to Westar Energy.

The severe thunderstorm warning was canceled early about 6 p.m.