Your walking down the strip, the sun in shinning, the sky's are blue - but off in the distance you see a black curtain extending down from dark ominous clouds - what do you do?

THAT my friend is one of our rain storms - lovingly called - a monsoon! NO - it's really NOT like the ones you see in Asia - but very fast moving rain storm, that can drop 2, 3 even 4 inches of rain in less than an hour! They usually don't last that long - and can be quite refreshing in the heat of summer!

What should you do?

• If you're walking the strip - and it's moving toward you, about the only thing you can do is to get in doors. Most inexpensive umbrellas won't hold up to the stress, and you're going to get wet anyway - so just get inside.
  • DO NOT attempt to cross a flooded street! ONE inch of fast moving water is enough to knock you off your feet - AND - there may be hidden dangers (pot holes, sink holes etc...) - that you could fall into! So, look around for the nearest public accessible place - and go inside!
• If your driving, SLOW DOWN and turn on your lights before you hit the "curtain" - AND - be prepared to pull over to the curb to wait it out.
  • DO NOT attempt to cross or traverse a flooded intersection or street! Your SUV and it's 4 balloons (tires) - float very nicely in fast moving, shallow water - and you could find yourself either stuck, or floating downstream in a hurry! Pull over and wait it out - it will be over shortly.
• If your hiking our many trails - GET TO HIGH GROUND QUICKLY! Many of the low lying areas that you have walking on are considered a "wash" - and NOT because it's so clean! When it's raining - UP HILL from your location - these washes become rivers, with fast moving rapids!

Clark County Regional Flood Control District!

Frequent visitors to our valley not only notice all the resort & housing construction - but roads often times surround by hugh rectangular pipes. Other times you will see very wide, cement lined river beds - that are bone dry or only an inch wide trickle of water down the center. Those rectangualr pipes, and cement lined river beds or washes - are what saves many lives, homes and business during our monson season. They planning and construction of which are taken care of by the Clark County Regional Flood Control District. They spend millions and millions of dollars every year not only working on the draining issues in the valley - but TRYING to educate all the folks who live here that flood waters are NOTHING to fool around with!

Even long time residents forget that flash flood waters can kill - and that hugh 4x4 SUV that you own is little more than a steel umbrella, than a safe ride accross swift moving water. PLEASE RMEMBER - less than one inch of water during a monsoon can be running close to 30 mph - enough to knock you off your feet - and - that those big truck tires on your SUV are filled with AIR - those four big ballons ontop of moving water can float your SUV down stearm faster than you can control it. Here is a list of do's and don'ts from the Regional Flood Control District!

• In the event of a major storm that may cause isolated flooding, it is safer for you to stay where you are and wait for the storm to end, rather than attempting to drive anywhere.

• If you are driving and are caught in a major storm, consider pulling over to a location higher than the street and wait out the storm. Intense summer storms in Southern Nevada are usually over in a couple of hours.

• Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Roads underneath may be damaged and impassable.

• The majority of flood-related deaths are caused by people attempting to drive through moving water. Swift moving floodwater can sweep away cars. Larger vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, may be more likely to float because large air-filled tires increase the buoyancy of the vehicle.

• If your car stalls, it may be safer to stay with the vehicle. Swift moving water only inches deep can sweep you off your feet and result in drowning. Only you can make the decision about which option is safer.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flash floods, such as the depth and speed of the water.

• Do not let children or pets play in or near floodwater. Floodwater can move up to 30 mph and is filled with hazardous materials such as chemicals, oil and pet waste. Stay out of flood channels and detention basins, which can rise as quickly as one foot a minute.

• Stay out of standing water as well. The dirty water can disguise hazards below the surface, such as deep holes and dangerous debris.

• Do not camp or park your vehicle near washes or channels. Flash floods occur very quickly and can be deadly.

• Remember, more deaths occur in floods than any other weather-related disaster!

• Listen to the radio or television for additional information as weather conditions change and new reports are received.

• Even if your home is not located in a designated flood zone, severe flooding can still occur in your area. Talk to your insurance agent about obtaining flood insurance, which is available to everyone regardless of whether you live in a flood zone or not.

• Check the Regional Flood Control District’s website at www.regionalflood.org for current rainfall and weather information at approximately 150 locations around the Valley. The site also includes current information about flood zones and flood insurance.

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