2 dead as heaviest rainfall in 10 years floods Las Vegas strip for second time in weeks

Flash floods swept the iconic Las Vegas strip for the second time in weeks early Friday, causing two deaths as water to seep into casinos and flood parking garages.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas issued a flash flood warning early Friday just after midnight warning of heavy rains, lightning and gusty winds. Videos on social media captured a bus floundering through an intersection that floodwaters had turned into lagoon and a car battling strong currents of downhill flooding.

Another video showed water pouring in from the roof of what appeared to be the Planet Hollywood casino. The footage posted to Twitter showed water soaking several card tables with cards and chips floating.

A man’s body was found Friday by public works crews and firefighters removing debris from a flood channel near the Las Vegas Boulevard resort area where a person died about midnight despite being pulled by firefighters from floodwaters, Deputy Clark County Fire Chief Billy Samuels said. The Clark County coroner did not immediately report the identities or causes of death in either case.

The gambling town is experiencing its most intense monsoon season in a decade. It has seen 1.28 inches of rainfall in 2022, according to the National Weather Service. The region hadn’t received more than an inch in rainfall since 2014, according to the National Weather Service.

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A severe thunderstorm first disrupted life on the strip two weeks ago, causing water damage to multiple casinos. Jarring video showed water bursting through a sportsbook screen inside the Circa Hotel.

Las Vegas city officials advised residents not to drive through flooded areas, to find another route or wait until waters subside. Las Vegas Valley’s last major monsoon season, which recorded more than 3 inches of rainfall in 2012, took the lives of two people, according to the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.

Officials responded three times to vehicles stalled in high water. All occupants were evacuated without injury, officials told USA TODAY.

The National Weather Service warned of more heavy downpour and flash flooding through midnight Friday.

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Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 dead as Las Vegas strip, casinos flood for second time in weeks

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