LAS VEGAS, Nevada–An epic thunderstorm swept drought-stricken Clark County in southeastern Nevada on July 28, flooding the streets of downtown Las Vegas and leaving thousands across the city without power.
” It was unbelievable,” Kim B. said. She lives on Sixth Street, three miles from the Strip’s famous casino and hotel district.
” My roof was flat, it was looking like a waterfall”, she said to The Epoch Times.
The floodwaters almost reached her front door. She added.
Unlike her experience with torrential rainfalls in monsoon seasons, this time it reached my garage .”
On July 29, another powerful storm blew across the region, darkening the skies above iconic Caesar’s Palace in downtown Las Vegas, one of three large casinos impacted by the previous night’s deluge.
“Thank goodness we didn’t experience flooding,” Vickie Kelesis of Vickie’s Diner, Las Vegas told The Epoch Times.
” It was heavy rain but it didn’t cause any problems .”
Even so, the storm seemed to be on her customers’ minds during the breakfast rush on July 30–the terrifying thunder and lightning, and rain that came down “in sheets”–amid the constant weather alerts.
” I wasn’t nervous and didn’t lose my power. But it was something,” said a waitress who asked to remain anonymous for The Epoch Times.
Seated at the counter, Byron Burgess of Las Vegas said he was out of town on July 28 and was catching up on the news of the storm on his cell phone.
” It does occur here in Vegas. Burgess stated that flash floods happen all the time.
” When it happens, it can go crazy. It’s then over. The monsoon season .”
is over.
Videos posted on social media revealed flooding in three of the Strip’s major casinos as well as parking lots. Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & casino also suffered a leakage in its ceiling.
“I’ve been here 24 years, and Thursday’s storm is probably in the top five,” said an employee, who did not want his name used.
Local media reported that the storm knocked out power to over 7,000 homes due to the rain and wind gusts as high as 71 mph.
Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded to 330 calls for service, “many related to the storm,” and rescued seven residents from swift floodwaters, the agency said in a statement.
First-responders also attended a house fire, 22 vehicle crashes, and 15 outside fires before the storm finally ended.
More Rain Predicted
The National Weather Service of Las Vegas forecast more rain this weekend.
Flash floods can occur even in dry Southern Nevada, according to Clark County Regional Flood Control District.
“Yes it is a desert there. It doesn’t rain much. It does rain when it does. On its website, it stated that July to September are the summer monsoon seasons, and they can expect rapid flash flooding and sudden downpours.
While most rainstorms last only a few hours, it is a smart idea to remain inside when it rains-especially when it floods, said the agency.
The CCRFCD advised that you avoid driving in thunderstorms, and instead turn around to avoid flooding streets crossings.
“Turn around, don’t drown. You can lose control of your car if you let six inches of water in. Most cars can be floated by one foot of water. Nearly half the flood-related deaths occur in vehicles, trucks or SUVs
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman thanked the city’s first responders and the regional flood control agency for their efforts to keep residents safe in the storm.
“Las Vegas is blessed with beautiful weather. However, we are subject to large-scale storms during monsoon season. We have flood control infrastructure that can quickly move water from the city to Lake Mead, Goodman said on Twitter.
Kim B. is a Sixth Street resident and her problem lies in the “that drain” right outside her home.
” It has smaller drainage slits. When it rains, and it is a flash flood, all the trees in the neighborhood that are olive-rich get trimmed. The olives stick to those holes .
Kim stated that the city’s highway crews were far too involved in dealing with large-scale flooding downtown to reach her street in sufficient time to relieve the floodwaters.
At one time, she calculated the depth of water at eight inches close to her front door.
” The reason that it gets to the door, Kim stated, is because cars push all the water out of their stupidity.”
” It was terrible. It was so bad that I couldn’t get out of it. It hasn’t even been on my car. I chose to stay at home. Here is where I was raised. I’m better at
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Allan Stein, an Epoch Times reporter covering Arizona is
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