Editorial: Storm saw valley pull together

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003 | 8:31 a.m.

The sudden rainstorm Tuesday night that quickly left northwest Las Vegas streets several inches under water -- and in many areas several feet under water -- forced motorists to make sudden decisions. Some abandoned their cars and walked home through water up to their thighs. Others tried driving through the rising and rapid currents. Many in that group ended up on their car roofs, waiting to be rescued.

Metro Police and firefighters proved they were ready and capable. Swift-water rescues are treacherous but the helicopter pilots, the search-and-rescue officers lowered from the helicopters' cables, and the firefighters responding by truck all demonstrated their courage and skills. No one was killed and there were no reports of serious injury -- a fine tribute to the responders' training and experience. Highway Patrol troopers and Metro traffic officers kept things under control on the streets, a real testament to professionalism as the flooding began at rush hour and tens of thousands of commuters were on the roads. Las Vegas City Hall officials helped coordinate the multi-faceted response, which included public-works crews and Nevada Power workers. Local TV stations, with continuous live coverage, contributed by informing people of the most washed-out are as.

Among the heartening stories were those of hundreds of citizens who helped in any way they could. They loaned their arms to pedestrians who needed support and they shouted warnings about open manhole covers, which had turned some spots into dangerous whirlpools. They helped rescue drivers and push their cars to drier ground. One man, Jason Fernandez, even contributed his fishing boat to help parents retrieve their children from a preschool facility.

The flooding brought out the worst in nature, but the best in Las Vegans.