Brief but heavy rain causes problems

Short bouts of intense rain pummeled parts of Clark County on Thursday, causing flooding that closed roads and stranded motorists in the hardest-hit areas southeast and west of Las Vegas.

The storms hit the western valley first, dropping up to 1.8 inches of rain in roughly 90 minutes, according to the National Weather Service. Crews from the Nevada Department of Transportation spent the afternoon clearing the flooded and debris-strewn sections of State Route 159, west of Interstate 215.

"The storm is moving east, weakening as it goes," said Jerome Jacques, weather service meteorologist. "The heavy downpour is mostly over. We'll dry up over the weekend."

Although the rain came down more lightly in the southeast, the half-inch of precipitation created problems for motorists confronted with standing pools of water or shallow running water on roadways. Henderson Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Lytle said his crews were called out at least three times to rescue motorists trapped by flooding.

"We've been jumping from call to call," Lytle said. "We did get assistance from Las Vegas Search and Air Rescue's helicopter. The Clark County Fire Department's battalion chief also was here to give assistance."

In an incident on Warm Springs Road, west of Stephanie Road, Lytle said, firefighters rescued a female motorist who got stuck as she attempted to drive through a standing pool of water.

A second incident involved two motorists on Boulder Highway near Gibson Road. They were trapped by water that was about 10 inches deep and moving quickly, Lytle said. The road was closed for the duration of the rescue operation. Lytle said no injuries were reported.

Although the rains might be letting up, Clark County Regional Flood Control District spokeswoman Betty Hollister said, residents need to remember that detention basins and flood control channels will take time to drain and are not safe places for people to use as recreation areas. Floodwaters are polluted, she said, and pose a hazard to people and their pets.

"It's filled not only with debris, but with pollutants: oil from the streets, animal waste, cigarette butts, nails and construction materials," Hollister said. "It's nasty stuff."

In addition, floodwaters, even when shallow, can run fast and knock a person off his or her feet.

Hollister said the intense rains did not pose a problem to the network of flood control channels that ultimately funnel the water to Lake Mead.

Flood control staff also are monitoring the effect of the rain on the Virgin River, Hollister said. As of late Thursday afternoon, it did not appear that flooding would be a problem.

"Everything seems to be fine," Hollister said.