Tropical Storm Rachel moved through Southern California before reaching the Las Vegas Valley over the weekend, bringing with it substantial rainfall and some flooding, particularly around the Strip.
The National Weather Service's Las Vegas office reported that the city received 1.08 inches of rain from midnight through Sunday morning, tying the record for the highest daily rainfall total in October, a mark previously set on October 12, 1947.
This heavy rainfall was a notable shift for Las Vegas, which has experienced a notably dry year. Prior to the storm, annual rainfall for the city was recorded at just 1.1 inches, more than two inches below average.
Following the storm, several roads near the Strip, including parts of East Flamingo Road, Koval Lane, and Winnick Avenue, were temporarily closed due to flash flooding. Social media lit up with images and videos showcasing rising water levels, particularly near the LINQ Promenade, where the garage was designed to manage excess water flowing through it, according to the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.
Due to the adverse weather, some scheduled events were canceled, including the last day of the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival and a breast cancer awareness walk organized by Susan G Komen.
As of Monday, road closures were lifted, but the disruptions could still affect visitor numbers and travel stats. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported a 4% decrease in visitation year-over-year for August, the largest decline seen this year. Traffic at Harry Reid International Airport also dropped 9% during the same month, prompting the airport to issue a weather advisory for all flights on Sunday and Monday. Current air traffic is lagging 7% behind last year’s pace, which had already declined by 7%.
Construction for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, set to begin on November 19, is progressing. This infrastructure work involves some roadways impacted by the flooding, but Formula One has not reported any delays or work issues.
Nevada has faced challenging weather conditions recently, including a series of wildfires that required evacuation notices for tens of thousands of Reno-area residents in late August. In response, local casinos provided discounted room rates for evacuees, and various companies contributed to relief efforts.
