Record rainfall soaks Las Vegas on soggy Sunday

By Jackie Valley

Published Sunday, July 3, 2011 | 10:54 a.m.

Updated Monday, July 4, 2011 | 12:11 a.m.

Strong storms unleashed heavy downpours and gusty winds on Sunday, leaving thousands without power, prompting at least two water rescues and earning a spot in the record books.

NV Energy officials said about 10,000 customers scattered throughout the Las Vegas Valley were without power at one point Sunday night.

Lightning strikes, strong winds and rain disrupted equipment and brought down several power lines. NV Energy crews were repairing lines to restore power as soon as possible, the company said.

A flash flood warning and a severe thunderstorm warning were posted for parts of Clark County and the Las Vegas Valley on Sunday as frequent bolts of lightning flashed amid heavy rain.

The thunderstorms first appeared in central and southern Clark County before moving north across the valley. Storms began to move out of the valley more than three hours later after 9 p.m.

The National Weather Service said Sunday's storms set a record for rainfall on July 3. Forecasters measured 0.74 inches of rain Sunday at McCarran International Airport, surpassing the previous record of 0.42 inches that fell on July 3, 1961.

Sunday was easily the wettest day of 2011, a distinction that previously belonged to March 21, when 0.15 inches of rain fell. Before Sunday, Las Vegas had recorded only 0.26 inches of rain this year.

Forecasters said Sunday's rainfall total also makes this the wettest monsoon season in Las Vegas since 2007, when 1.72 inches of rain fell from June 15 to Sept. 30.

For some residents, the rain was more than just an inconvenience.

Clark County firefighters rescued a man from swift-moving water in a flood control channel near Flamingo Road and Swenson Street after heavy rainfall spawned flash floods, officials said.

The man, who is in his late 30s, was rescued about 7:40 p.m. from water about 4 feet deep, county spokesman Dan Kulin said. Firefighters extended a ladder from a truck over the wash, then got a rope with a flotation device to the man. He refused transportation to a hospital.

Firefighters also rescued a man in his 60s from about 4 feet of water in a wash behind a fire station near Flamingo and Paradise roads. Firefighters extended a ladder from a truck into the wash to save the man.

He was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center with injuries that weren't life-threatening, Kulin said.

Officials said significant road flooding was reported at Eastern Avenue and Warm Springs Road, where about 3 feet of water covered the road Sunday night, prompting some drivers to abandon their vehicles.

Emergency crews responded at 6:40 p.m. to a report of a person stranded in water near Eastern and Warm Springs. Crews never found anyone in distress at the location, Kulin said.

Meanwhile, firefighters responded to the Paradise Trails Mobile Home Park near Ford Avenue and Parvin Street after one or two roofs blew off homes, Kulin said. No injuries were reported.

As the storms moved north, a 51 mph wind gust was reported in the eastern valley. Storms brought a gust of 59 mph to the North Las Vegas Airport.

The gusty winds were to blame for a 30-minute delay in the fireworks show on the Las Vegas Strip. Caesars Palace originally had planned to ignite fireworks at 9:15 p.m., but pushed back the show to 9:45 p.m.

The storms capped an uncharacteristically hazy Sunday in Las Vegas. Temperatures, however, still managed to climb to 108 degrees in the afternoon before storms sent the mercury downward.

Partly sunny skies will usher in the Independence Day holiday, with a high near 104 degrees, but outdoor barbecues run the risk of being rained upon: There’s a 20 percent chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms Monday evening, forecasters said.

Pyrotechnicians from Grucci’s Fireworks, which is operating fireworks shows at Station Casinos properties on Monday, said rain doesn’t typically deter the show. High winds are more of a problem.

In fact, officials said overcast skies can make for a better fireworks experience because the sound is amplified.

The normal high temperature for Sunday's date in Las Vegas is 103 degrees. The highest recorded temperature was 116 degrees, set in 1937. Sixty degrees in 1943 marked the lowest temperature on that date.