- Las Vegas, situated in the desert, experiences heavy rainfall on rare occasions.
- An efficient flood prevention system is implemented in Las Vegas to manage the rainfall effectively.
- Contrary to viral videos, flooding near the LINQ Hotel is not a cause for concern, as it is part of the drainage system, according to experts.
Las Vegas, known for its “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” slogan, is not immune to rain.
Videos of flash flooding near the LINQ Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip have gone viral on social media, raising concerns among tourists visiting the city during the Labor Day weekend.
However, this flooding is a result of the LINQ Hotel’s location above a natural waterway that directs rainwater towards Lake Mead.
This means that the rushing waters are intentionally present to ensure the safety of Las Vegas residents, according to Andrew Trelease, assistant general manager for the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.
Andrew Trelease, speaking to Insider, expressed concern over the negative perception created by videos of this “flooding,” clarifying that it is simply part of the natural drainage system.
Despite being located in the Mojave desert, Las Vegas is prone to flooding, a common phenomenon in desert regions. However, the city has implemented excellent infrastructure to efficiently manage and redirect water away from populated areas.
How Las Vegas Prevents Flooding
The Clark County flood control department invests $15 million annually in maintaining infrastructure that ensures the safety of the streets during storms and heavy rainfall.
Andrew Trelease adds, “Our efforts largely go unnoticed as we do an exceptional job in most areas. However, some high-profile locations, like behind the LINQ, give the impression that something is amiss when it isn’t.”
Massive water basins strategically placed across Clark County effectively capture heavy rainfall and prevent floods from affecting the population. Moreover, these basins serve as public amenities, including parks and soccer fields, due to the infrequency of rainfall in Las Vegas.
John Locher/Associated Press
Rapid Rainfall and Unpredictable Storms in Las Vegas
Las Vegas and the surrounding Clark County receive an average of four inches of rainfall per year. However, this rainfall occurs in short bursts and with high intensity.
According to Markus Berli, an associate research professor of environmental physics at the Desert Research Institute, the arid soil struggles to absorb the heavy rain, resulting in the need for improved prediction methods for intense rainfall events.
Nevertheless, despite the alarming videos showing powerful floods near the Las Vegas Strip, Berli confirms that the flood infrastructure in Las Vegas effectively safeguards the population from potential dangers.
“The engineering solutions implemented in Las Vegas are doing an exceptional job at keeping the water outside of the city,” Berli assures.
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