The flooding in Las Vegas was caused by a thunderstorm that brought heavy rainfall.
A rare thunderstorm hit Las Vegas on Thursday night, causing flash flooding in the area where several famous casinos are located. Several parking lots and airports were also under water. Videos shared by users on Twitter and other social media platforms show downtown streets turning into small rivers and water flowing into casinos. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood and severe thunderstorm warning for the Las Vegas Valley. The weather service has asked local residents to watch out for heavy rainfall, lightning and strong winds.
A Flash Flood Warning and Sevwre Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for the Las Vegas Valley ⚠️@NWSVegas advises to watch out for:
– torrential rain
– lightning ⚡️
– strong wind gusts #VegasWeatherpic.twitter.com/1E8JuJlfXV— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) July 29, 2022
According to Fox WeatherA gust of 59 mph was registered at Harry Reid International Airport on Thursday just before 10 p.m. local time, but the Las Vegas Strip reported a gust of 71 mph.
It quoted NWS’s local office as saying: 0.32 inches of rain was shot at Harry Reid International Airport. The weather service also said other areas of Las Vegas have received more than an inch of rain.
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During the downpour, the airport reported departure delays of 50 minutes, according to FlightAware.com.
Videos posted to Twitter show the streets of Sin City badly hit by the floodwaters.
@News3LVthis is the Linq parking garage on the Strip. pic.twitter.com/lWfKULEAom
— Coach Ken Camp (@CoachKenCamp) July 29, 2022
Another video shows fast winds and raindrops at Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, a shopping mall.
@ClarkCountyNV@LasVegasLocally@NWSVegaspic.twitter.com/NfAcQ8ZHZk
— LoriLissett ❦ (@LoriAG10) July 29, 2022
The Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Department said it was responding to several storm-related calls and urging people not to drive through flooded roads. Quoting fire chief, Tim Szymanski, New York Post reported no injuries so far.
The iconic Caesar’s Palace was also hit by flooding, as seen in a video posted online. The clip showed that the ceiling could not contain the water that was pouring onto the carpets.
“The lightning was almost constant and the power went out several times,” Alexander Wolf, a Las Vegas resident, told the Post. “Electric surges set off the fire alarms of several buildings, forcing firefighters into the storm to respond.”
