3 swift water rescues, 8 palm tree fires reported after storms
The Clark County Fire Department reported being sent to eight palm tree fires and three swift water rescues Wednesday morning after thunderstorms moved across the Las Vegas Valley.
Deputy Fire Chief Warren Whitney said in a release that lightning strikes were suspected in the palm tree fires. Also, no injuries were reported in connection to the water rescues, but a portion of Nellis Boulevard had to be closed in both directions because of vehicles continuing to cross the water and stalling.
“This serves as a great reminder not to cross flooded areas,” Whitney said. “Cars can be easily swept away in fast moving floodwater. Never drive through any amount of floodwater. If you can’t see the lines on the street, it’s too dangerous to risk trying to cross the intersection or area. Take the extra five minutes and find another route.”
A flash flood warning was issued for northwest Clark County at 11:10 a.m. and was set to expire at 2:15 p.m. Some locations that may experience flash flooding include Indian Springs, Cold Creek Road and Creech Air Force Base.
Warm Springs Road was shut down between Stephanie and Arroyo Grande due to flooding just after 8 a.m., Henderson police reported on its Twitter account. The road was reopened after 10 a.m.
Rainfall totals across the valley ranged from .79 of an inch at the Flamingo Wash at Nellis Boulevard, .47 south of Spring Valley, .39 at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, .31 at Lone Mountain Park in the northwest, .24 near UNLV and .31 near Caesars Palace on the Strip. A majority of rain gauges recorded from .04 to .08 on an inch.
The National Weather Service said there is a 30 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m.
Las Vegas is expected to reach a high of 97 and drop to 74 in the evening.
Contact Tony Garcia at tgarcia@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307. Follow @TonyGLVNews on Twitter.
