The Latest: Tornado on ground in Kansas City area

LAWRENCE, Kan.

The Latest on tornadoes in the Midwest and Plains states (all times local):

7 p.m.

The National Weather Service office in Kansas City says a large and dangerous tornado is on the ground on the western edge of Kansas City, Kansas, and the NWS is telling residents to take shelter now.

The NWS declared a tornado emergency for Kansas City, Kansas and said the tornado was approaching Interstate 70 near the Kansas Speedway, a major shopping and entertainment area that is heavily populated.

There were no immediate reports of the extent of damage from the storm.

___

6:30 p.m.

Officials have a report of a tornado touching down outside near Kansas City on a path toward the city of Lawrence, Kansas.

Assistant Director Jillian Roderigue said Douglas County Emergency Management received a report of a tornado about 6:10 p.m. near the small community of Lone Star, southwest of Lawrence.

She said there no immediate reports of injuries. But local television stations were showing damage on the south side of Lawrence.

The city of about 100,000 residents is home to the University of Kansas. It is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of the Kansas City International Airport.

The National Weather Service in Kansas City issued a tornado emergency for Kansas City, Kansas; Shawnee and Bonner Springs, Kansas until 7:15 p.m.