Las Vegas Casinos Damaged as Storm Causes Flash Floods — Video

Las Vegas Power Cuts

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas issued a severe thunderstorm warning at around 7:45 pm PST as two storm cells approached the city from the north. By 10:30 pm, several parts of the Las Vegas Valley had experienced an inch of rain, almost a quarter of what it can expect in a year.

Strong winds have also been reported, including gusts approaching 70 mph on the east side of town, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal. At around 10:15 pm, NV Energy reported that around 7,300 of its customers had been left without power.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said there had been at least eight vehicle accidents since the beginning of the storm. Police one vehicle was stuck under flood waters at South Commerce Street and West Charleston Boulevard.

On the Horizon

More storms could be on the horizon. A flash flood warning remains in place, and drivers are urged not to attempt to drive through water. Meanwhile, meteorologists are warning that storms could return on Friday.

We are stuck in the same monsoon pattern,” National Weather Service meteorologist Barry Pierce told LVRJ. “Storms move south from Lincoln County and any time from 6 pm to 10 pm [Friday] could be another show with lightning, rain and winds to 60 mph.”

Las Vegas is one of the driest cities in America and ill-equipped for monsoons. But questions will be asked about some casino properties apparently vulnerability to torrential rain, especially as extreme weather becomes more commonplace.

Circa, which from initial reports appears to have been one of the worst affected, is just a few years old and probably shouldn t have a leaky sports book.

This is a developing story.