Two People Missing Wednesday Night, Washed Away In Las Vegas Canals
Heavy rains and gusty winds hit the Las Vegas Strip, the I-15 Resort Corridor, portions of Henderson, and the Lake Mead Recreational Area Wednesday night. Crews are searching for two people washed away by rushing water in Las Vegas canals. Undoubtedly, monsoon season continues in Southern Nevada.
Two People Washed Away In Las Vegas Canals
At this time, 8NewsNow.com is reporting that one person was rescued from rushing waters through Las Vegas canals Wednesday night. However, Linsey Lewis’s article also states that crews are still searching for two other missing people.
Specifically, Las Vegas Metro Police Department officers and Clark County Fire Department personnel responded to separate calls Wednesday night between 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. Several people called in reports about people being washed away in canals near East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane.
Canals near Sahara Avenue and Lamb Boulevard, as well as Sahara and Nellis Boulevard, are other areas where rescue crews are searching for missing people.
Monsoon Season Continues In Southern Nevada
By now, everyone should be aware that even though it doesn’t rain that often in Southern Nevada, when it does, the water moves fast. You’ve heard the warning: “Turn around; don’t drown.” Sure, that applies to driving through rushing water. But, it also applies to walking or standing in rushing water.
In fact, when heavy rains and thunderstorms hit the Las Vegas valley, the storm water really gets moving quickly. It’s important to realize that during summer monsoon months sudden downpours and rapid flash flooding can occur. The Clark County Regional Flood Control District has helpful information on their website.
For example, did you know that water rushing through flood control channels can reach 30 miles per hour? Six inches of rushing water at that speed can knock you off your feet. Per RegionalFlood.org, these flood control “facilities include detention basins, channels, washes, and storm drains.”
Basically, you should avoid walking through or standing in flood control channels even when it’s not raining. In brief, water can flow through these channels at any time.
Las Vegas Monsoon Season: 7 Tips For Residents
1. If Possible, Wait Out The Storm
Sometimes the storms during monsoon season last a few minutes. Other times it’s a few hours. But wherever you are when it hits, it’s best to stay put if you can. All that wind and rain makes driving more hazardous than ever. And blowing debris and lightning can also cause issues. Find something to do wherever you are and wait it out, if possible.
2. If you have to drive, glue your hands to the wheel and go slowly.
Texting and driving is always a bad idea, but a thousand times over during a storm. The roads are wet, visibility is compromised from rain or dust storms. This is not the time to drive with less than two hands. Never take your eyes off the road and drive under the speed limit.
3. Be prepared for power outages.
Monsoon storms sometimes cause us to temporarily lose power. If you have any appliances or routers that you just cannot afford to have go out, get a back up power supply. There are lots of options, from little battery banks to full on generators. And having candles and/or flashlights on hand is never a bad idea.
4. Set up your Smart device to report the weather every morning.
During monsoon season, it’s smart to keep an eye on each day’s weather. If you’re not used to checking on the weather before leaving the house, you can set up a lot of smart devices to automatically deliver that news every day. Then you can take the necessary precautions if a storm is headed your direction. There are also weather apps to choose from that can set up a schedule for daily reporting.
5. AVOID. FLOODING. AREAS.
We hear it all the time! Driving (or walking) through flash flooding is a bad idea. But still people do it. If you’re one of these people, keep in mind that it only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock over an adult. And only a foot and a half of it to move a vehicle. Turn around. It’s not worth the risk.
6. Don't let the wind win.
Like we said, monsoon season sometimes brings winds over 50 mph. So be prepared for a little furniture rearranging on your back porch. If you have outdoor draperies, string lights or lightweight pillows, you might want to bring them in or make sure they’re well-secured to something. Or you might be fishing them out of your neighbor’s yard.
7. Watch out for stagnant water.
With all the water we’ve been getting in Vegas, there has been many opportunities for some water to collect in puddles here and there. Well this is the perfect breeding ground for our little mosquito friends. So during monsoon season, make it a habit to check places around your house that water can collect and dump it before those little buggers can lay their eggs.
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.
