Heavy rains in Las Vegas area lead to some flooding, road closures

By Rich Coleman, Dave Toplikar

Published Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 5:32 a.m.

Updated Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 6:39 p.m.

Heavy rains falling in the region this afternoon have prompted the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings and watches for the Las Vegas area. And nearby mountains, including the Mount Charleston area, are in a winter storm warning.

Metro police are seeing an increase in traffic accidents while some roads in the western area have been closed.

Bonnie Springs Road, off of State Road 159, and Arroyo Road leading into Blue Diamond are closed, Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said.

Metro police also see an increase in traffic accidents on days like today.

“Our traffic section is very busy on rainy days,” Metro spokesman Officer Jay Rivera said.

Rainfall amounts in the valley for the afternoon before 6 p.m. included .32 of an inch at McCarran International Airport, .31 of an inch at North Las Vegas Airport, .37 of an inch at Nellis Air Force Base and .15 of an inch at Henderson Executive Airport.

Rivera said due to the lack of rain for long periods of time in Las Vegas, oil accumulates on the asphalt and makes the roads especially slick whenever it does rain.

“Keep in mind you don’t have the same amount of traction. You need to alter your driving style when it’s wet,” Rivera said. “You can’t drive like you always do because that’s when you’re going to get in an accident.”

Rivera urges motorists to hit the brakes sooner and increase their braking distance when driving. He also urges drivers to take it slower than they normally would.

Flash flood warning

A flash flood warning for west central Clark County, which includes Red Rock Canyon and Rocky Gap Campground, was issued this afternoon and remains in effect until 8:45 p.m.

At 5:38 p.m., State Road 159 remained closed due to ongoing flooding and radar indicated rain — and flooding — would continue as well, the weather service said.

Park officials reported the Red Rock Scenic Loop was closed about 2 p.m. because of rocks and other debris washing or falling onto the road.

The weather service said those in the area should realize flash flooding is dangerous. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause fast-rising water and flash flooding of normally dry washes, rural dirt roads, small streams and low water crossings, they said.

If flash flooding is observed, move quickly to higher ground to escape flood waters, they said. Do not stay in areaa subject to flooding when water begins rising. It takes only 18 inches of swiftly moving water to sweep a vehicle off the road, and less than six inches of swiftly moving water to sweep a person off his feet, they said.

Flash flood watch

A flash flood watch for the Las Vegas Valley is in effect through Tuesday afternoon and a flood warning was issued for parts of southern Nevada until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. A winter storm warning has been issued for the Sheep Range and the Spring Mountains, including Mount Charleston.

The flood watch area, which runs through Tuesday afternoon, includes the valley and parts of northwest Arizona, California and southern Nevada. In Nevada, the watch area includes the Lake Mead National Recreation Area; northeast, southern and western Clark County, and southern Nye County.

The weather service said a large plume of moisture will move over southern Nevada and northwest Arizona this afternoon and then remain across the area through Wednesday.

Rain is expected to increase over the area this afternoon and then continue off and on through at least Tuesday, forecasters said. Rain may be heavy at times, they said.

The rain will likely create ponding of water in low-lying areas as well as flowing water in normally dry washes, forecasters said. Depending on the amount and intensity of the rainfall, rapid rises of water in washes and flowing water containing mud and debris may be possible over the area roadways, they said.

Travelers, campers and residents should be aware of the potential for heavy rains and possible problems that they might create, forecasters said.

Flood warning

A flood warning has been issued for northeastern Clark County in southern Nevada, north central Mohave County in northwest Arizona, including the city of Mesquite and Beaver Dam. The warning will last through 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, forecasters said.

Heavy rain and snow melt in southwest Utah has generated high flows on the main stem of the Virgin River in southwest Utah, forecasters said. Periods of heavy rain are forecast to affect the area through Wednesday night, which will exacerbate the flooding, they said.

The Virgin River near Littlefield is forecast to go above flood stage late Tuesday morning and crest around 16.2 feet close t midnight Tuesday night or between midnight and 4 a.m. Wednesday morning near Mesquite, the weather service said.

Flooding can also be expected on Beaver Dam Wash in northwest Arizona, forecasters said.

Forecasters said most flood deaths occur in automobiles. They urge motorists not to drive a vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road, they said.

Winter storm warning

A winter storm warning for heavy snow and strong winds is also in effect for the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range in southern Nevada this afternoon and tonight, forecasters said. Mount Charleston is included in the winter storm warning, which will be in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday above 7,000 feet.

Total snow accumulations will be up to 3 feet of snow at the 7,500-foot level, with 5 feet or more of snow at the highest elevations through Wednesday evening, they said.

Winds will be from the west at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts higher than that, they said.

Travel is expected to be dangerous and motorists are advised to keep an extra flashight, flood and water in their vehicle in case they are temporarily stranded.

Dryer conditions will arrive Thursday and Friday before another storm approaches the area on Christmas Day, forecasters said.

At 5:56 p.m. today, the McCarran International Airport was getting light rain and the temperature was 51 degrees. Today's high reached 56 degrees at 1:24 p.m. The normal high for today's date is 56 degrees and the record high was 73 degrees, set in 1981.

Just before 6 p.m., temperatures around the valley were 50 at North Las Vegas Airport, 52 degrees at Nellis Air Force Base and 52 degrees at Henderson Executive Airport.

Temperatures are expected to be 51 degrees by 9 p.m. and fall to 50 degrees by midnight, forecasters said.

Tuesday's morning low will be 47 degrees and Tuesday's high will climb to 55 degrees, they said.