Storm slows traffic, cuts power in LV area

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 | 11:46 a.m.

Hot air mixed with humid air to create a severe thunderstorm that struck the Las Vegas Valley Tuesday afternoon, causing power outages and traffic congestion -- and more is on the way.

Today's forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, with hail possible in some areas.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday issued severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings at 1:50 p.m., meteorologist John Adair said.

Officially, 0.5 of an inch of rain fell at the weather service station at McCarran International Airport, bringing the year-to-date precipitation total to 5.71 inches -- 2.8 inches above normal.

Unofficially, gauges around the valley measured around the 1-inch mark. At 3 p.m. alone, 0.99 of an inch fell at Fort Apache Road and Sahara Avenue, the weather service said.

Unofficially, the wettest spot in the valley was at the VanBuskirk Detention Basin at Lloyd and Harmon avenues, which got 1.34 inches of rain. The Las Vegas Wash at Lamb Boulevard got 0.94 inches unofficially and an unofficial gauge at the weather service offices on Industrial Road measured 1.21 inches.

The storm knocked out power to the Lady Luck, Binions's Horseshoe and the Las Vegas Club, all downtown casinos, for a short time.

Nevada Power Co. spokes woman Sonya Headen said the outages were storm related. The casinos used backup generators to keep the lights on.

High water made for slow moving traffic on many valley streets. The Public Works Department closed Highland Drive to traffic south of Oakey Avenue because of flooding. Other closed areas included Western Avenue at the Wall Street intersection and the Charleston underpass.

Heavy traffic was reported on Rancho Boulevard, Sahara Avenue, Valley View Boulevard and Charleston Boulevard. Many drivers decided to park and wait the storm out rather than fight their way through the gridlock.

"I had a doctor's appointment at UMC, but it looks like I'm not going to make it," said Max Pruett in the parking lot of the In N' Out Burger at 2900 West Sahara. "At this point I just want to get home but anyway I go it's going to be packed."

Pruett got off of Sahara at about 3:15 p.m. and ended up waiting for traffic to let up for about an hour.

"Maybe I should just head over to Arizona Charlies (hotel-casino) and do a little gambling while I wait out this storm," Pruett said as he got back in his car.

Reports of trees down and up to two feet of water in some Henderson intersections were reported, Adair said.

The storm began as a mass of moisture moved across the McCullough Range south of Las Vegas. The storm formed over the valley and headed north, sweeping through the metropolitan area, Adair said.