From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 9, 1989:

Thunderstorms and showers had saturated Lawrence with 2.56 inches of rain the previous afternoon, causing swollen rivers and streams, flooded basements, damaged streets, and worried farmers. The Wakarusa River was expected to crest three feet above flood stage at U.S. Highway 59 early today, but the National Weather Service reported this morning at 8:30 that the river was already receding. The Bowersock Mills & Power Co. reported the Kansas River level at the plant was 15.5 feet, but the river was well within its banks along its entire length. Storm-related calls had kept the Lawrence police department busy as officers responded to eight non-injury accidents within two hours. Heavy rains had brought more flooding than usual to many areas of the city just at the time many people were going home from work or school. “There were numerous cars on 19th and 23rd that were disabled,” said officer Dave Anderson. Several motorists traveling through high waters in the 700 and 800 blocks of Tennessee Street had also been flooded out. The highest rainfall had occurred at a time when schools had dismissed classes for the day, and children had been seen walking home from Pinckney School in knee-deep water. About 3:30 p.m., the heavy runoff had filled the basketball court in the low-lying area of Central Park (now Watson Park), bringing water in that area within a few inches of the basketball hoops. One youth had been spotted standing on the hoop while two people were swimming in the makeshift “pool” below him. Electricity and telephone service had been interrupted at various sections of town during the afternoon, and the heavy rains had caused the asphalt to crack at 20th and Alabama and at Harvard and Crestline, leaving large 2- to 3-inch holes measuring 10 to 12 feet in diameter. Several Lawrence residents reported various depths of water in their basements. Farmers, who earlier this summer had been worried about drought conditions, were now probably going to have to deal with oversaturation and soil erosion, according to Jack Lindquist, Douglas County’s agriculture extension agent.