Severe weather resources for Lawrence and Douglas County
Here’s helpful info for when a storm strikes. You’ll also see this box at the bottom of our severe weather coverage.
We try to keep these resources up to date as much as possible. Please let us know ASAP if a link is broken or something needs to be updated or added to this list.
Severe weather resources
Get warm in Lawrence:
• See this page for locations to get warm during the day and overnight, where to get help for pets and more.
National Weather Service local office (Topeka):
• Find the latest weather forecast info and severe weather advisories for the Lawrence area at this link.
• In the event of rapidly changing severe weather, such as tornadoes, the NWS posts frequent updates on Twitter, @NWSTopeka. You do not need a Twitter account to see tweets from NWS.
• NWS is also on Facebook, facebook.com/NWSTopeka.
• Call 785-234-2592 to hear the forecast.
City of Lawrence snow info:
• The city has snow information and a map at lawrenceks.org/snow that shows information about road conditions and where snowplows have been. The city typically begins snow and ice control for residential roadways when 2 or more inches of snowfall or icing occurs.
Douglas County Emergency Management:
• Follow @DgCoEM on Twitter or Douglas County, KS- Emergency Management on Facebook, facebook.com/dgcoem.
• Sign up to receive emergency alerts at dgcoks.org/emalerts.
• Find lots of tips on severe weather and other emergency preparedness on DgCoEM’s website at douglascountyks.org/emergency-management.
• Report storm damage (for non-emergencies only, and after storm danger has passed) by calling the nonemergency dispatch line at 785-843-0250 or 785-832-7509.
Evergy outages:
• Check the status of power outages on the Evergy outage map, outagemap.evergy.com.
• Report a power outage at evergy.com/report-outage, or call 800-544-4857.
• For down powerlines, call Evergy’s emergency line, 800-383-1183, if above-ground lines are arcing or making contact with trees or vegetation. Call 911 immediately if overhead power lines are on the ground or a fire starts.
Air quality:
• Check the current air quality index in Lawrence and elsewhere through AirNow, airnow.gov.
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Latest weather coverage:
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Community Shelter still battling issues from blizzard, extreme cold
The blizzard that hit Lawrence and the lingering cold have wreaked some havoc for the Lawrence Community Shelter, including causing some pipes to freeze and burst and slowing construction of 24 new Pallet shelters.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Public Schools closed Tuesday because of cold temperatures
Lawrence Public Schools will be closed Tuesday because of bitter cold temperatures and wind chills.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Snow piles on Lawrence sidewalks and near bus stops hinder accessibility for pedestrians, bus riders
Snow-ridden sidewalks and bus stops around Lawrence have raised accessibility concerns for pedestrians, but the city says it does not have the resources to clear all areas.
Latest Lawrence news:
People, pets safe after house fire in North Lawrence; firefighter suffers ‘minor injury’
Two occupants and pets that were in a North Lawrence house fire Friday afternoon are safe and a firefighter suffered a “minor injury,” according to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district will safeguard student info in wake of immigration concerns, superintendent says
Lawrence Public Schools will keep students’ information private and support their constitutional right to education regardless of their immigration status, the superintendent told families Friday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Single-family home construction in Lawrence continues to decline as home prices rise
Construction of single-family homes in Lawrence continued to decline in 2024, reaching a new low with only 57 permits granted by the city. At the same time, sale prices have continued to rise.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Community Shelter still battling issues from blizzard, extreme cold
The blizzard that hit Lawrence and the lingering cold have wreaked some havoc for the Lawrence Community Shelter, including causing some pipes to freeze and burst and slowing construction of 24 new Pallet shelters.
John Brown’s Underground, Saltwell chef named semifinalists for James Beard Awards
John Brown’s Underground was nominated for outstanding bar and Saltwell Farm Kitchen executive chef Rozz Petrozz was nominated for Best Chef: Midwest in this year’s prestigious James Beard Awards.
