Most Las Vegas Residents Thankful For Weekend’s Soaking Rains

We posed the question on Facebook Monday: “How did your home fare during this weekend’s stormy weather?” Well, the replies ran the gamut from "Nothing burger" to "Flooded at my place." For the most part, Tropical Storm Hilary brought a steady, soaking rain to the valley.

It certainly depends on where your home is located when it comes to Tropical Storm Hilary. The TV weather forecasters were certainly predicting apocalyptic results from this weekend’s storm. However, based on our impromptu Facebook survey, some people saw steady rain throughout the weekend. Some people in Pahrump are reporting flooding on many streets and roadways. Nonetheless, some residents say they only received light rain.

Bryan Horwath reports on KTNV.com that Tropical Storm Hilary dumped lots of rain on the mountains surrounding the Nye County city of Pahrump. Runoff from the mountains has flooded many streets and some buildings in that area. Thankfully, there are no injuries to report, but there is some cleaning up to do.

Honestly, some of the comments on our Facebook question Monday had me giggling. Most respondents were a bit upset with how the media and TV weather forecasters played up the drama surrounding what started out as a hurricane. Of course, by now you know that some areas of Southern California got hit very hard by the storm. However, here in Southern Nevada, we basically got some much needed, steady, soaking rain.

One Facebook respondent asked: “What storm?” Another exclaimed: "We got took again!” A person complained that the TV weather forecasters “have been exaggerating a lot with the news around here. These people act like it’s never rained or gotten hot before.” Another respondent said she has seen a lot worse in the valley with other storms that have passed through. But, she did spot some downed trees in her neighborhood this morning.

The reply that got me laughing out loud reads: “It’s a dry rain, too.” Gotta love that kind of Las Vegas humor! And here’s a rainbow from outside our home during a break in the showers over the weekend.

Thunderstorms can be both fascinating and scary, with their electrifying displays of lightning and booming thunder. However, not everyone knows that there are certain things you're not supposed to do when there’s a thunderstorm.

During the summer months, thunderstorms occur frequently due to the high humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 73 percent of lightning-related fatalities occur in June, July, and August. According to the National Weather Service, an excess of moisture in the atmosphere, atmospheric instability, and a triggering mechanism are the conditions that lead to thunderstorms. When these elements are combined, they can unleash a powerful symphony of heavy rainfall, thunder, lightning, strong winds, and even hail.

The American Red Cross has some advice on how to get ready for those wild summer thunderstorms. Taking preventive measures like subscribing to local government emergency alerts, equipping your home with backup batteries, and devising a family plan for hazardous weather situations can all prove invaluable during emergencies.

When it comes to thunderstorms, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about what you should avoid doing. One of the most common misconceptions is that wearing rubber-soled shoes or being inside a car with rubber tires makes us immune to lightning strikes. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth. Lightning can still travel through the ground or the metal frame of a car, even if it has rubber tires.

Many people believe that as long as they're not directly under the storm cloud, they are safe from lightning strikes. However, lightning bolts can extend horizontally for significant distances, reaching as far as 10 miles away from the storm. And also keep in mind that trees, especially tall ones, are prime targets for lightning strikes due to their height and conductivity.

Along with getting prepared and knowing thunderstorm myths, you have to know what not to do during a thunderstorm.

Here are 5 things you should never do during a thunderstorm.

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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