Storms wreaks havoc on Las Vegas roads

Tuesday, July 29, 1997 | 9:42 a.m.

Windshield wipers weren't much help early Monday as a thunderstorm bringing hail, lightning and strong winds moved through the Las Vegas Valley, stranding cars at flooded intersections and causing havoc on the streets.

"It's a reminder that we're definitely in the heart of our monsoon season," said Ron McQueen, a forecaster for the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain pelted the valley on and off Monday morning until the afternoon, when sunshine prevailed.

The Charleston Boulevard underpass at Interstate 15 flooded, as it almost always does in heavy rain.

City and county fire officials had responded to 116 car wrecks by midafternoon. On a typical day, wrecks might number 85, said Bob Leinbach, spokesman for the Clark County Fire Department.

No serious injuries were reported.

About 4,100 people were without power Monday when high winds caused trees to topple into power lines and lightning hit some areas, said Tom Henley, spokesman for Nevada Power Co.

Only about 50 people were still without power Monday afternoon, he said.

A severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning was issued Monday afternoon for eastern Clark County and north-central Mohave County, Ariz. Winds of up to 60 mph were reported in a residential area near Lake Mead, where shingles were blown off roofs in the area.

The Nevada Highway Patrol responded to 35 wrecks by Monday afternoon, about 15 more than normal.

Isolated afternoon thunderstorms were forecast for today while Wednesday was expected to be sunny again, McQueen said. Highs were expected in the upper 90s. The extended forecast calls for clear skies except for a chance of afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains through Saturday.