Kansas...

So there was a really strong storm here earlier, and after a bit I checked the weather. My weather widget said, oh you know, it's 62 degrees-- the moon is so-and-so and it's partly cloudy. I checked weather.com and it said something to the effect of "THERE HAS BEEN A TORNADO SIGHTED IN YOUR AREA, SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!" Right after that there was an announcement over the dorm speakers and everyone huddled downstairs (not that we'd be safe if a tornado actually hit us anyway), and we waited there for a while.

I just got back to my room. It's almost 2am. I guess we lost a few of the smaller trees. Kansas is awesome.

(Oh, and notice that the sirens never went off, just like they didn't go off when we had the microburst.)

1. More than 8,400 [and counting] without power as hail hits Lawrence


Update:

Westar Energy is reporting that more than 8,600 customers are without power in Douglas County around 2:20 a.m. today as a severe thunderstorm hit Lawrence.

The Journal-World has received several reports of storm-related damage, including downed trees and debris blocking the road in northern and western Lawrence.

6News Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Schack is reporting that the storm had winds in excess of 80 mph in Douglas County.

The severe thunderstorm warning issued for Douglas County expired at 1:45 a.m., and the tornado watch is no longer in effect.

A tree has fallen on a mobile home on Perry street. The family who lives there has been set up at the Holidome, according to Jane Blocher of the Red Cross.

Police and emergency crews are responding to large downed trees, including at Sixth Street at Iowa and Trail Road near Fireside Drive. Also, a roof has blown off a building on Sixth and is on the road on Florida Street.