News Summary
A severe storm in the Las Vegas Valley resulted in significant damage and power outages, disrupting daily life. The College of Southern Nevada closed its Charleston Campus due to power failure, while thousands faced ongoing outages. Emergency shelters were set up, and restoration efforts were underway amidst warnings of possible flooding and extended outages as conditions remain unstable.
Las Vegas Valley Storms Cause Extensive Damage and Disruption
A severe storm swept through the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday, resulting in significant damage, power outages, and disruption to daily life. The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Charleston Campus experienced a power failure in the early afternoon, leading to the cancellation of all classes as students were evacuated.
During the outage, students, including CSN freshman Issac Vargas, were in classrooms when emergency lights triggered police and security personnel to conduct building sweeps and facilitate evacuations. Although power was restored by 7:30 p.m., CSN decided to close the campus for the evening.
According to NV Energy, ongoing power outages affected thousands, with over 6,000 customers without power by Thursday afternoon. Many streetlights were also nonfunctional, contributing to traffic confusion especially at intersections. Local resident Paulo Pagsuyon expressed concerns about driving conditions, as heavy rain caused water pooling on roads.
Storm Impact Details
The storm’s wind gusts were particularly destructive. In a tragic incident, Mickey, a miniature horse at the nonprofit organization Horses 4 Heroes, lost his life when a tree fell on him due to high winds. The organization is seeking community assistance to cover the costs of cremation and tree removal, estimated at over $600.
The prior storm, which occurred on Tuesday, had already caused damage with wind gusts reaching 70 mph that brought down trees, tore down stoplights, and trapped vehicles. Approximately 30,000 NV Energy customers lost power during that storm, necessitating the replacement of over 60 damaged utility poles. The North Las Vegas Fire Department responded to multiple calls concerning downed power lines but reported no injuries or traffic-related incidents.
Restoration Efforts
As of Thursday, crews from NV Energy were working diligently in two main areas to restore power, with projections indicating that some restoration could take place late Thursday night into early Friday morning. Full restoration of power was expected by 2 p.m. on Friday, but residents were warned of the possibility of extended outages.
In addition to power outages, Cox Communications reported service disruptions due to downed utility poles and lines. To assist affected residents, an emergency shelter was established at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which accommodates pets in kennels. Transportation to the shelter is limited but can be arranged through RTC Paratransit services.
Ongoing Weather Challenges
The recent storms have been attributed to the seasonal monsoonal moisture impacting the region, with forecasts indicating likely continued localized impacts and potential flooding in the coming days. The storm on Tuesday also featured dust storms that reduced visibility and impacted air quality across the valley. Wind gusts at Harry Reid International Airport reached 60 mph, while some areas around Henderson saw gusts up to 70 mph.
The strong winds caused significant damage at the Henderson Airport, where local aircraft were severely impacted. Reports indicate overturned planes and aircraft being moved from their designated parking spots.
The Las Vegas Valley’s residents are advised to remain alert and cautious as authorities continue to monitor conditions and respond to ongoing weather challenges. Preparations for possible flooding and extended power outages are underway as the storm system progresses.
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Additional Resources
- 8 News Now
- Google Search: Las Vegas storm damage
- Fox Weather
- Wikipedia: Las Vegas
- Review Journal
- Google Scholar: Las Vegas storm impact
- KTNV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas weather
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LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
