Olivia Qi and Sean Liu, of Mountain View Calif., look over Red Rock Canyon from the shelter of their SUV as light rain falls at the Red Rock Overlook Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.
Published Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 | 3:49 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 | 8:10 p.m.
As Hurricane Hilary approaches the West Coast, officials are asking residents in the Las Vegas Valley to prepare for flash floods that could start Saturday and with the worst of the storm possible Sunday and Monday.
The Nevada Department of Emergency Management is stressing to residents to not walk, swim or dive through flood waters.
“Turn around. Don’t drown,” they emphasize. “Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. “
The department is also warning parents to not allow children or pets to play near flood waters because those are moving fast and can contain dangerous debris and chemicals.
If you are driving when the storm hits, think about finding some ground higher than the street to pull onto until the storm passes, they said.
Here are tips provided by official agencies in the region and links to resources.
Red Cross emergency planning
- First, create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Make sure to include your pets as part of your emergency plan
- Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
- Be informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders. Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channel for the latest updates.
- Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
Recommendations from Gov. Joe Lombardo's office
- Now is the time to prepare yourself and your household. As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities.
- Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs such as operating medical equipment.
- Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your plan.
- Identify any additional help needed in an emergency, if you or anybody in your home is senior or has a disability, access, or functional requirement.
- Have several ways to receive alerts. Sign up to receive emergency notifications. Download the FEMA App on your smartphone and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Check the settings on your mobile devices to ensure you can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts, which require no sign-up.
- Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other devices.
- Protect your home against storms. Declutter drains and gutters and bring in outside furniture.
- Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household, pets, and identify where you will stay. Follow the instructions from local agencies who will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
- Make copies important personal, medical, financial, and insurance documents. If possible, keep them in a secure password protected digital space. Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks, pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk.
- Replenish supplies in your emergency kit and replace expired items as needed.
Recommendations from Clark County
- Don’t allow children or pets to play in or near floodwaters, which are fast moving and can contain dangerous debris and chemicals.
- Never drive through a flooded road or around barricades. It can be difficult to determine how deep floodwaters are and floodwaters can rise dramatically in minutes.
- If you are caught in a sudden storm that may cause flooding it is usually safer for you to stay where you are and wait out the storm rather than trying to drive through it.
- If you are driving when the storm hits, think about finding some ground higher than the street to pull onto until the storm passes.
- If you get stuck in a stalled car, it may be safer to stay with your vehicle. Fast moving water, even only a few inches deep can quickly sweep you off your feet.
