photo by: National Weather Service in Topeka

Forecast as of 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

Lawrence received 1.72 inches of rainfall overnight, making flash flooding a paramount concern for the region, the National Weather Service in Topeka reported Tuesday morning.

The rain began just before 6 p.m. Monday and the heavier storms moved into the area just before 7 p.m. and continued off and on through much of the night, NWS meteorologist Bryan Baerg said. Since Sunday night Lawrence has received 2.35 inches of rain, according to measurements at Lawrence Municipal Airport.

While no tornadoes were spotted, Baerg said, there were many reports of straight-line wind damage south of Douglas County. A semitrailer blew over around 7 p.m. in Osage County and at 7:05 p.m. strong winds blew over a barn and shed north of Lyndon. Winds reached almost 80 miles per hour at 7:51 p.m. two miles south of Ottawa, according to Baerg.

With additional rainfall expected Tuesday and through the evening, Baerg said “the overarching concern is flash flooding.”

A flash flood watch is in effect for Douglas County and surrounding areas until 1 a.m. Thursday.

“With the low clouds and rain showers developing there is a question of how much instability there will be in the storms,” Baerg said. The more significant severe weather will be in the southwest part of the state.

However, the possibility of rain continues through Wednesday, before the system finally progresses eastward.

It should dry out before another chance of rain returns Sunday, but no severe weather is expected with that system, Baerg said.