The storm approaches.
Flooding on Lamb Boulevard.
Flood damage.LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
A widespread rainstorm seemingly caught the Las Vegas Valley off guard Tuesday, stranding drivers, damaging property and forcing dozens of rescues.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning at around 1:30 p.m. and the torrential downpour started soon after.
The west side of the valley was hit the hardest, with substantial flooding reported in the area of Blue Diamond and Durango.
Roughly 10 businesses sustained serious flood damage at the Promenade building on Maryland Parkway, right across the street from the campus of UNLV.
According to a spokesperson for Clark County, firefighters carried out at least 40 swift-water rescues throughout the county. Approximately 30 people had to be rescued from stranded vehicles.
Fifteen people were rescued at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Sloan Lane alone. At about 3:30 p.m., rescue crews had to use a helicopter to pull a woman from her truck near Sahara Avenue and Nellis Boulevard.
Much of that water has now receded and the flood warning has expired. There are no reports of injuries.
Clark County Fire wants to remind people to stay away from flooded roads and intersections as the water may be much deeper than it appears.
Numerous roadways and intersections were closed because of flooding including the 215 Beltway from 1-15 eastbound to Warm Springs Road.
A landscape maintenance worker went missing following the storm. He had been working at Desert Rose Golf Course when the deluge began. His boss sent him home but his personal vehicle remains at the course. A formal search for him is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
