Flash flood warning expires; Kingman hit very hard
A flash flood warning has expired for areas just west of the Las Vegas Valley.
Pahrump, Sandy Valley, Mount Charleston and Indian Springs could received some scattered heavy showers late this aafternoon, according to National Weather Service radar.
Harris Springs, just southeast of Mount Charleston, has received .98 of an inch of rain this afternoon. Mount Charleston has received just over a half-inch.
The storm cells moved north, away from the Las Vegas Valley.
📡Radar Update - 2:30PM
Heavy rain continues to fall near Kingman with rainfall rates of 4 to 5 inches per hour being observed. Use extreme caution if out driving in this area and do not drive through flood waters. pic.twitter.com/eLKwEaTG30
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) September 12, 2022
East side of Kingman getting pounded
Well outside of the valley, parts of Kingman, Arizona, received rain at a rate of 4 to 5 inches per hour, said the weather service. Travel is in the area was discouraged.
Several swift water rescues were conducted, especially on the east side of the city. Numerous vehicles were submerged. Between 2 to 4 inches of rain fell on the east side of Kingman.
People were warned to go to higher ground. A weather service alert called it a “a life-threatening and particularly dangerous situation.”
⚠️Flash Flood Warning⚠️
📍 NE San Bernardino, SW Inyo counties in CA, SE Nye and W Clark counties in NV.
⌚Until 4:15 PM
⛈️Heavy rain, capable of flash flooding, is occurring in the area. If you encounter a flooded roadway; turn around, don't drown. #CAwx #NVwx pic.twitter.com/ma3m38AGcK
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) September 12, 2022
Showers and isolated thunderstorms made their way through the valley Monday morning, bringing 35 to 45 mph winds.
Rain gauge amounts showed more than a half-inch just north of Primm to .39 at the base of Red Rock Canyon to .43 at Boulder City.
Nearly every rain gauge across the valley showed at least .04 of an inch. Gauges in the middle of the valley showed .04 to .20 of an inch while higher elevations received more.
Radar Update! 📡⛈
Showers and isolated thunderstorms are pushing through the Las Vegas Valley this morning bringing 35-45 mph winds with them. Occasional cloud to ground lightning! #vegasweather pic.twitter.com/rLjr6idBKa
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) September 12, 2022
The chance of rain or storms later Monday drops to 30 percent in the evening hours. A high near 91 is forecast after a morning low near 75.
⚠️ A Flash Flood Watch will go into effect early Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning as moisture from former Hurricane Kay continues to result in showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain.
For the latest details, visit https://t.co/H4ycRS8zTQ! #nvwx #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/59RqNTcEct
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) September 12, 2022
The weather service issued a flood watch that includes Clark County as well as parts of Nye, Lincoln and Esmeralda counties. It runs until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Give your sprinklers a rest
Because of the rain, water users are encouraged to turn off their sprinkler systems for at least three days.
“This is not only due to the rain, but also higher soil moisture, lower temps, more humidity and shorter days,” said Bronson Mack, spokesman for the Southern Nevada Water Association. “As a result, we can all forgo outdoor landscape irrigation for at least few days, since Mother Nature is already lending a hand. And when you do turn off irrigation systems, you should also change your sprinkler clock to your three assigned watering days to follow the fall watering restrictions, which are in effect through Oct 31, to save water and avoid water waste fines.”
Tuesday was forecast to include a 40 percent chance of rain, light winds and a high near 91. The risk of evening showers will drop to 30 percent.
Wednesday will have a 20 percent chance of rain before skies clear for the rest of the week.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.
