From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 1, 1972:

Severe weather had zeroed in on the Lawrence area overnight, causing power outages and minor property damage with a total rainfall of 1.70 inches. No major damage or tornado funnels had been reported in Lawrence during the storm, but tornado warnings had been issued after sightings of funnels in Shawnee County were reported. Motorists on their way to work this morning faced several detours throughout town as standing water was still making some roads impassable. In spite of the unfortunate weather, several elementary-school students spent part of their day creating springlike flower baskets to celebrate the first day of May. Fifty-six Boy Scouts had braved the weekend’s bad weather on Saturday when participating in a clean-up day at Douglas County State Lake.