A group of friends (clockwise from front left), Chloe Riedemann, 13; Krista Griffin, 11; Nora Birchfield, 11; Sophi Riedemann, 10; and Maddie Birchfield, 13, paddle past the train at Buford M. Watson Park after the rain had stopped and the flood water had somewhat receded Wednesday.

Lawrence streets looked like rivers. A serious storm landed in Lawrence, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rains.

Flash flooding, which began around 5 p.m. Wednesday, was followed by power outages, fires and sewer backups, while drivers trapped in their cars awaited rescue.

By the time emergency management officials warned area residents to stay off the roads, it was too late for several drivers.

Reports of water rescues on several streets were highlighted by eyewitness accounts of a person trapped in a floating car near the intersection of 31st and Iowa streets. Douglas County emergency dispatch reported that emergency crews participated in six water rescues of people trapped in automobiles in a 30-minute time period, though no injuries were reported.

Lawrence resident Michael Mitchell said he tried to brave the streets but quickly realized it was best to stay put.

“I started up on Iowa Street, and drove down Ninth Street; small cars were getting hit left and right,” Mitchell said.

Two noninjury, minor fires on Pebble Lane and the 1000 block of Mississippi Street were also reported during the storm, according to emergency dispatchers.

The storm, which affected all of Douglas County, hit the area around 4:30 p.m. and subsided by about 6 p.m. The final weather-related numbers included more than 2 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph, according to 6News meteorologist Matt Elwell.

“It’s not the worst flood I’ve seen, but it’s in the top three or four,” Elwell said.

Shortly after the rain stopped falling, a large sinkhole formed in Watson Park. It appeared to be 2 feet wide and 6 feet deep. Lawrence police were called to secure the area.

One Lawrence family decided to take advantage of the flooding. They inflated a raft and took it for a trip in water covering the basketball court at Watson Park.

“We decided as a family it’s always fun to walk down here and see how the park does,” Dan Riedemann said. “The kids wanted to swim, and I wouldn’t let them; they talked me into getting the inflatable.”

Riedemann and his wife watched as their three children paddled around the flooded court.

“We got off track a couple of times, but it was fun,” said Henry Riedemann, 12.

9:01 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Douglas County has expired.

7:32 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Douglas County is now in effect until 9 p.m.

7:18 p.m.

Lawrence streets looked like rivers.

Flash flooding, which began around 5 p.m. Wednesday, was followed by power outages, fires, and sewer backups, while drivers trapped in their cars awaited rescue.

By the time emergency management officials warned area residents to stay off the roads, it was too late for several drivers.

Reports of water rescues on several streets were highlighted by eyewitness accounts of a person trapped in a floating car near the intersection of 31st and Iowa streets. Douglas County Emergency Dispatch reported that emergency crews participated in six water rescues of people trapped in automobiles in a thirty-minute time period, though no injuries were reported.

Two non-injury, minor fires, one on Pebble Lane and the other in the 1000 block of Missippi Street, were also reported during the storm, according to emergency dispatchers.

The storm, which affected all of Douglas County, hit the area around 4:30 p.m. and concluded by about 6 p.m. The final weather-related numbers included more than two inches of rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph, according to 6News meteorologist Matt Elwell.

“It’s not the worst flood I’ve seen, but it’s in the top three or four,” Elwell said.

6:32 p.m.

With the heaviest rain moving out of the area, most streets have drained sufficiently for them to be drivable. Motorists are still urged, however, to avoid any standing water, as even a small amount of standing water is enough to sweep away a heavy vehicle.

Also, now 222 Westar customers scattered around Douglas County are without power.

6:15 p.m.

There are now 206 Douglas County Westar Energy customers without power, according to the company’s website.

6:06 p.m.

High water is being reported along Brook Street in east Lawrence. That street is prone to flooding.

5:59 p.m.

We have received reports of a house at 2721 Harrison that has flooded as well. That’s near 31st and Lawrence Avenue.

6News Meteorologist Matt Elwell said the area had received nearly 2 inches of rain thus far.

About 190 Douglas County Westar Energy customers are currently without power.

5:55 p.m.

Two more water rescues have been reported in Lawrence: at 27th and Alabama and at 29th and Bellhaven.

At the Bellhaven incident, an individual is clinging to the roof of the vehicle because water has come up past the car’s windows.

Do not drive into standing water. Do not leave your house unless there is an emergency, local emergency official say.

5:45 p.m.

Local emergency management officials are urging Lawrence residents not to leave their homes.

Many streets in the area are impassable because of high water.

If you do leave your home, do not drive into standing water. Dozens of cars have been stranded and there are several water rescues underway.

The severe thunderstorm warning has been canceled but a flash flood warning remains in effect until 7:30 p.m.

5:40 p.m.

A car was reported to be floating with a person trapped inside at the intersection of 31st of Iowa.

Firefighters are also investigating a report of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Mississippi Street.

5:38 p.m.

Witnesses have reported heavy flooding in Buford M. Watson park near downtown Lawrence, heavy flooding along 23rd Street from Iowa to Haskell, heavy flooding along Massachusetts Street between downtown and 23rd Street.

5:34 p.m.

Lawrence Police and Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical are responding to a water rescue in the area of 23rd and Ousdahl Drive.

Police reported 7-10 cars trapped in a foot of water along 23rd Street at Ousdahl. The street was being blocked both east and west.

Street flooding is being reported around town. You are urged to avoid driving until the storm passes if at all possible.

Stay with LJWorld.com for updates.

5:26 p.m.

Westar Energy is reporting 22 customers around Douglas County without power. More than 3,000 customers in Shawnee County are without power.

5:20 p.m.

Power flashed briefly in at least parts of downtown Lawrence after a transformer at the corner of 7th and New Hampshire caught fire.

Power remains on across Douglas County according to the Westar Energy website.

5:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the severe thunderstorm warning for Lawrence until 5:45 p.m.

Winds in excess of 60 mph were being reported with the storm. Heavy rain is also being reported across Lawrence with this storm system.

Power lines were also reported down in several places around Lawrence.

4:59 p.m.

The storm moving toward Lawrence has been producing heavy rain and caused extensive street flooding in Topeka.

Several water rescues have been reported. Similar conditions are possible in Lawrence.

Drivers are strongly discouraged from driving into standing water, as even a small amount of moving water is enough to take a car.

The National Weather Service has also expanded its severe thunderstorm warning to include Leavenworth and Johnson counties until 5:45 p.m.

Check back for updates.

4:36 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Douglas County until 7:30 p.m. A second severe thunderstorm warning covering the portions of Douglas County not already covered has also been issued.

The second severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m.

Damaging winds in excess of 62 mph were reported near Topeka, moving this way.

6News meteorologist Matt Elwell said heavy flooding was a concern with this slow-moving storm.

Check back to LJWorld.com for updates.

4:19 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for portions of Douglas, Shawnee and Jefferson counties until 5 p.m.

Radar indicated a strong storm capable of destructive winds in excess of 70 mph had formed near Topeka and was moving eastward.

People in northwestern Douglas County, eastern Shawnee County and southwestern Jefferson County should be prepared to take precautions.

Check back with LJWorld.com for updates.