High winds, power outages reported as weather system plows into Las Vegas

By Brian Nordli

Published Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 | 8:08 a.m.

Updated Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 | 11:49 a.m.

Gusty winds blew trees and branches into power lines today, causing more than 1,000 NV Energy customers to lose electricity in the Las Vegas Valley.

An outage at Pecos and Flamingo roads caused outages for 1,071 customers in the area, NV Energy officials said. Clark County School District buildings near Flamingo Road have closed due to the outages, school spokeswoman Melinda Malone said.

NV Energy officials are also working to resolve minor outages throughout the valley.

The outage started about 5 a.m. when trees and branches disrupted a main power line near Valley View Boulevard. The outage affected more than 700 customers, including the Fashion Show Mall, officials said. Power has since been restored in that area.

The flag-flapping, tree-swaying winds are expected to last until 9 p.m. and reach speeds of 30 mph to nearly 60 mph in the Las Vegas Valley, and up to 80 mph in Red Rock Canyon. NV Energy officials said people should expect scattered power outages throughout the day with wind causing trees and branches to interfere with power lines, pulling them loose or shorting them out.

Clark County Department of Air Quality issued an air quality advisory warning residents and people on construction sites to be wary of blowing dirt and debris. Unhealthy levels of dust in the air are not occurring at this time, air quality officials said.

National Weather Service officials issued a high wind alert in Las Vegas and recommend people be wary of blowing dirt and debris, and strong crosswinds.

The high winds are accompanying a low-pressure weather system moving in from the Pacific Ocean that is expected to lower temperatures across Nevada, and cause winter weather in Reno, weather officials said. Temperature in the Las Vegas Valley is expected to remain in the mid-60s today, and bring a 20 percent chance for light rain.