A resident is cut-off from Rainbow Canyon Boulevard in the Rainbow Subdivision on Mt. Charleston Monday, July 28, 2014. The neighborhood was hit hard by flooding and debris in runoff last year as well.
Published Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 | 12:54 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 | 4:02 p.m.
The Clark County Commission today declared a state of emergency for Mount Charleston after severe flooding damaged homes and properties last month.
The declaration, which still needs state approval, would allow the county to seek state and federal emergency funds to cover cleanup costs expected to exceed $2 million.
Thunderstorms on July 28 caused flooding and carried debris down the mountain. The area is at an increased risk for flash flooding because a wildfire last year burned vegetation off the mountain.
The county had already spent more than $300,000 repairing roads and drainage on Mount Charleston following floods last year.
Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown said almost all of that work was undone by the recent flooding.
Damage to roads and infrastructure is estimated at $1.4 million, Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said. Ten homes suffered an additional $849,000 damage, she said. Seven of the homes had flood insurance.
Federal disaster funds could possibly be used to cover the cost of clean up, repairs and employee overtime, but it’s unclear whether the damage will be enough to qualify for aid.
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