Flash flood warning issued as heavy rain sweeps valley

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Published Wednesday, July 19, 2017 | 8:22 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, July 19, 2017 | 9:11 a.m.

A flash flood warning is in effect this morning for the southeast Las Vegas Valley, with storms dumping more than an inch of rain in some areas and swamping roads, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood warning, which includes Henderson and North Las Vegas, is in effect until 11:45 a.m., the weather service said.

As of 8:30 a.m., heavy rain was moving across the eastern, southeastern and southern portions of the valley. Parts of south Henderson saw as much as 1.5 inches of rain, officials said. The storm was moving southeast from Henderson.

Flooding was reported at multiple intersections, including Warm Springs Road and Stephanie Street in Henderson, where police were redirecting traffic.

About 8 a.m., a semitractor-trailer jackknifed on the on-ramp from the eastbound 215 Beltway to Interstate 15 North, shutting down the ramp, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.

The flood-control channel at Warm Springs Road and Pueblo Boulevard was inundated with 4 feet of water, according to the Clark County Regional Flood Control District. Officials warned people to avoid all channels and the Pittman Wash area.

The patrol reported that the southbound off-ramp at U.S. 95 and Wagon Wheel Drive was briefly closed and then reopened this morning because of flooding. The patrol warned that the flooding could resume and urged drivers to use caution in the area.

The storms are working their way out of the valley but could bring more rain later today near Red Rock Canyon, according to the weather service. The rain also brought cooler temperatures, dipping as low as 75 degrees and snapping Las Vegas’ record streak of 32 days with a low above 80 degrees.