Monday, July 12, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.
Las Vegans who breathed a sigh of relief after dodging the threat of more rain over the weekend got sprayed today with a cloudburst from Arizona that threatened more flooding in Southern Nevada.
A flash flood warning was in effect this morning in Kingman, Ariz., as a line of showers and thunderstorms extended north through Dolan Springs to the Hoover Dam, the National Weather Service said.
"Dolan Springs got hit pretty good this morning," Steve Downs, a meteorologist technician at the Weather Service office at McCarran International Airport, said. "The rain here this morning is light to heavy depending on the area."
The Weather Service forecasted occasional showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the day, meteorologist Jim Harrison said, noting, "it's a huge system."
There is a possibility of showers continuing through late Thursday afternoon, the Weather Service said, causing concerns among Southern Nevada residents and business owners who are still cleaning up from last Thursday's downpour that flooded the valley, destroying homes and killing two.
Within the first hour of this morning's storm, 0.10 of an inch of rain fell at the airport, bringing the year-to-date total to 2.29 inches -- 0.19 of an inch ahead of normal. However, last year at this time, 4.48 inches had fallen.
The Weather Service reported that 0.43 inches of rain had fallen at two sites in Summerlin and 0.3 of an inch at a site on East Sahara Avenue and the Las Vegas Wash. Boulder City received 0.25 of an inch, officials said.
A small stream and urban flood advisory was in effect until noon today, but the Weather Service was prepared to extend the advisory.
Meanwhile, North Las Vegas Police continued their investigation today one unexpected result of Thursday's flood -- the apparent unearthing of a dead body in the Belmont Wash.
The Clark County Coroner's office today identified the man as A.J. Milton, 68, of Las Vegas, who police say disappeared in June.
"The rain brought him to our attention. Otherwise we may have eventually found only bones," Lt. Chris Larotonda said. "We believe he died of natural causes, but we are investigating that right now. Finding his body will provide closure for his family."
Milton's decomposing body was found under a bridge at the Belmont Wash during Thursday's flood, causing police to believe he had been carried off by the current from the site where he probably died.
An autopsy is pending, but the coroner's office already has determined that the man did not drown, Larotonda said.
On Sunday services were held at Palm Mortuary Chapel Downtown for 91-year-old Dorothy Ohriner, a resident of Las Vegas for 28 years who died in an auto accident in northwest Las Vegas during Thursday's storm.
The coroner's office still has not identified a man, believed to be homeless, who was found drowned in the Flamingo Wash near 3800 Spencer Road on Thursday.
On Friday Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., toured the flood ravaged valley by helicopter. He contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration and requested assistance for families and businesses who were hit by the flooding.
Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, the world's largest Harley-Davidson facility, was back in operation Saturday, even though part of its roof had collapsed.
Company spokesman George McCabe said that while the service center is closed for roof repairs, the company is selling motorcycles, clothing and accessories.
Since Thursday the American Red Cross has been providing hard-hit residents with food, clothing and shelter. More than 874 meals have been served, the agency said, noting that 96 homes have been affected.
Seven houses and two mobile homes were destroyed, 20 mobile homes suffered major damage and 67 apartments and condominiums were reported damaged. The Red Cross activated more than 72 volunteers to help with flood victims.
The Red Cross service center will be open today from 3 to 8 p.m. at Woodbury Middle School, 3875 E. Harmon Ave., for people who have been affected by the flood.
The Clark County Health District is warning people to avoid direct contact with flood water, as it could be contaminated with dangerous microorganisms.
The Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of rain tonight with partly cloudy skies Tuesday that might result in afternoon showers and thunderstorms. There also is a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, with storms clearing late Thursday. It should be dry Friday.
Temperatures were expected to hit a high of 95 today and 102 degrees Tuesday. Normal for this time of year is 106 degrees, the Weather Service said.
Sun reporters
Mary Manning and Sonya Padgett contributed to this report.
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