Las Vegas Flash Flooding Leaves One Dead in Henderson as Storms Hit Valley
Heavy rain, hail and flash flooding hit the Las Vegas valley on Friday. A person rescued from a wash in Henderson died, and several swift-water rescues were carried out.
Las Vegas flash flooding on Friday left one person dead in Henderson after firefighters carried out three swift-water rescues as heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms swept across the Las Vegas valley. A Henderson city spokesperson said a rescued person went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Rescues and road flooding
The Henderson Fire Department conducted three swift-water operations early in the afternoon. One person was pulled from a wash near Lake Mead Parkway, two more were rescued near Lake Mead Parkway east of the Lake Las Vegas entrance, and another person was taken off the top of a vehicle near North Milan Street and Drake Street. The city said there were no injuries among the other rescued people.
Heavy flooding was also reported on Eastern Avenue, north and south of Interstate 11 and U.S. 95, according to KSNV. Some streets across the valley were flooded during the storms.
Harry Reid International Airport instituted a ground stop because of lightning through at least 3 p.m., the station reported. NV Energy said more than 4,000 customers were without power as of 1:40 p.m., mostly in the central valley, and that number had fallen to just over 2,000 by about 2:15 p.m.
Rainfall totals and warnings
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for eastern Henderson and Lake Las Vegas, which was in effect until 3:45 p.m. Rainfall reached 0.50 inches in a 30-minute span just after noon in that area, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. County rain gauge data showed parts of eastern Henderson received between one and more than 1.5 inches.
Downtown Las Vegas recorded just over an inch of rain through Friday afternoon, according to county gauge data. Ping pong ball-sized hail was reported east of downtown, the Review-Journal said, citing an NWS post on X. A severe thunderstorm warning for the east valley, citing hail and torrential rain, ran until 1:45 p.m.
Warnings from forecasters
NWS meteorologist Chris Outler said the agency was monitoring the situation. "We are keeping an eye on it," he said. "If it keeps raining hard enough we could see some greater impacts." He advised residents to stay alert and to turn around if they encounter flood waters.
The NWS also warned drivers to be mindful of flowing washes and flooded low-water crossings. Motorists across the city reported being caught in sudden showers, thunderstorms and hail.
What we know so far
The cause of the Henderson death has not been officially confirmed beyond the city's statement about the cardiac arrest. Forecasts from FOX5 Vegas had earlier warned that showers could affect Halloween evening plans, with a better chance of widespread rain expected late Saturday into Sunday. Residents are advised to avoid flooded roads and washes while the warnings remain in place.
Image note for editor: the photo should show flooded streets or a swift-water rescue in the Las Vegas valley.
