Hilary continues north, flooding happening in Spring Mountains

Monday morning update:

A 30% shower chance remains in place for Las Vegas through midday. It's quite muggy with morning temperatures in the 70s and afternoon highs in the mid 80s, when sunshine increases. The strong winds from Sunday night have dwindled but south gusts of 15-25 mph are expected through the day.

A Flash Flood Warning is in place for the Spring Mountains (including Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon) until 9:30 a.m. Monday due to significant rainfall of 6" to more than 8" the last few days. Reports from Nevada State Police include:

• Power is out on the developed canyons of the SMNRA (Kyle/Deer Creek/Angel Peak).
• Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon) has washed out from Echo Road east to Hwy 158 (Deer Creek Hwy).
• Highway 156 (Lee Canyon) has washed out from west of Hwy 158 (Deer Creek Hwy)
• Local Unified Command is set up at the Metro substation (Metro, NHP, DOT, NV Guard, and NV Energy).
• Boiled water notice for Las Vegas Valley Water District.
• Mt. Charleston Fire has 4 paramedics above the washout to assist with residents. 

Pahrump and much of Nye County have a Flash Flood Warning until 9:00 a.m. as showers continue. There have been reports of localized flooding, but it's not as significant as the situation in the Spring Mountains.
Sunday morning update:

Hilary is now a Tropical Storm moving along the northern Baja Peninsula of Mexico, and the center of the former hurricane is expected to reach Southern California this afternoon. Strong winds will spread across Southern Nevada late Sunday, peak Sunday night, and linger early Monday morning as the storm continues moving north. Southeast wind gusts are forecast to hit 60-70 mph in the Spring Mountains, and 50 mph in the Las Vegas valley, peaking around midnight.

Rain totals from Friday through Saturday were generally between 0.50" and 1.00" in the Las Vegas valley, but the potential for an additional 1.00" is expected through Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday morning. The most likely time for heavy rain in Las Vegas develops Sunday afternoon when thundershowers are possible. Our Flood Watch remains in place until Monday afternoon. Bigger problems are expected in the Spring Mountains, where additional rain totals may reach 3" to 6". The threat of flash flooding is still very real in that area, as well as points west, including Pahrump, and of course the deserts of Southern California.

Prior information:

The Las Vegas valley is preparing for possible flooding this weekend as meteorologists say Hurricane Hilary, which is currently in the Pacific Ocean, moves north.

As of Friday morning, areas of Southern California are under a Tropical Storm Watch for the first time ever, according to the National Hurricane Center. For those in the valley, NWS Las Vegas is warning residents about the significant amount of rain headed toward Southern Nevada, which could cause dangerous flash floods and mudslides.

Hurricane Hilary is a Category 4 storm as of Friday morning, carrying strong winds of 145 mph in the Pacific Ocean near Mexico. Meteorologists have predicted the storm will move north along Mexico's Baja California Peninsula Saturday through Sunday night, weakening to a tropical storm as it reaches Southern California.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the last time a tropical storm made landfall in Southern California was in 1939.

LIVE UPDATES: Tracking the impact of Hurricane Hilary storm system in Las Vegas

WEEKEND FORECAST

Rain forecasts for Southern Nevada show the valley receiving anywhere from 2 to 4 inches between Saturday, Sunday, and early next week. The valley saw scattered showers and lightning Friday morning, and Channel 13 meteorologist Justin Bruce says that, while a shower or thundershower can't be ruled out Friday night, the chance for more storms is low.

Showers and thunderstorms should turn widespread across Southern Nevada around Saturday midday and afternoon. Waves of rain could be heavy at times from Saturday afternoon through Saturday night into Sunday morning.

There will likely be some breaks in the rain during the daytime Sunday, but additional pushes of heavy rain are in the forecast for the rest of Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday.

TODAY'S FORECAST: 13 First Alert Weather Forecast | Friday, August 18, 2023

POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODING

Flash flooding may result from heavy rainfall at any point in time Saturday afternoon through Monday, and Clark County officials are reminding the public to avoid flooded roads. Officials also are specifically warning motorists and pedestrians to stay away from washes, since it only requires "six inches of water to sweep a person off their feet" and "12 inches to move a car."

The City of Henderson announced on Friday that they will be providing free resources to residents on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Heritage Park Senior Facility and Whitney Ranch Recreation Center. This will include sandbags, which can divert running water away from residences and other properties, though officials say the sand will not be included. Those interested can find sand for purchase at nearby home improvement stores or local nurseries.

The City of Las Vegas is also providing sandbags and sand, which can be picked up at the West Yard at 2950 Ronemus Drive, near Buffalo Drive and Cheyenne Avenue, or at the East Yard at 3128 East Bonanza Road, which is located near Bonanza and Pecos Drive.

Additionally, NV Energy is also reminding customers to be prepared and safe this weekend by signing up for outage alerts. Officials say emergency crews will be on standby this weekend in case of power outages caused by the extreme weather.

NATIONAL PARK CLOSURES

Lake Mead Recreation Area officials have announced a "complete closure" of the park for recreational use from 5 p.m. on Saturday until Monday at the latest.

National Park Service officials add that boating conditions can be dangerous, and the availability of emergency personnel may be limited by weather conditions.

The Bureau of Land Management is also preparing for potential storms by announcing several closures to national parks in and surrounding Southern Nevada.

From Friday, Aug. 18 to Monday, Aug. 21, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's 13-mile scenic loop will be closed, along with the visitor center. Additionally, roads surrounding Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area will be closed during that same time period, along with the visitor center.

BLM officials said additional areas may be closed depending on flooding.

Death Valley National Park has announced partial closures after the National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch in the area from Saturday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. through Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 5 a.m.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area will be closed due to the potential for flash flooding in the area. This closure includes Lee Canyon, which has suspended all operations for Saturday and Sunday and canceled all guest orders. Officials say guests will receive more details by email.

Starting on Saturday, campgrounds including Furnace Creek Visitor Center, North Highway, and Badwater Road will be closed after forecasts predict the area could see up to two inches of rain during the storm. Officials say they are also wary of dangerous flash flooding and potential power outages.

When hiking, the National Weather Services is advising the public to avoid canyons during rainstorms and always be prepared to move to higher ground. Similarly, when driving, officials say to be alert for water running through desert washes.

National Weather Service Las Vegas

Are you seeing flooding and storms in your area? Send us photos and videos at photos@ktnv.com.