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Storm runoff triggers Las Vegas-area rescues as showers remain in forecast

Remnants of Hurricane Rachel brought heavy rain, flooded roads and swift-water rescues across the region over the weekend. Showers and isolated thunderstorms could persist through Tuesday, with Las Vegas temperatures forecast to reach 70 degrees Monday before gradually warming.

Storm runoff triggers Las Vegas-area rescues as showers remain in forecast
LAS VEGAS — Rain from the remnants of Hurricane Rachel flooded roads and prompted numerous swift-water rescues across the Las Vegas Valley and neighboring areas over the weekend. The National Weather Service forecast more showers and isolated thunderstorms in parts of the region Monday and Tuesday, with locally heavy rain and gusty winds remaining concerns. The heaviest rainfall fell from Saturday night through Sunday morning. Some locations recorded 2 to 3 inches or more in less than 12 hours, the weather service said. Flooding and debris closed roads in parts of Clark County, as well as Mohave County, Arizona, and Inyo and San Bernardino counties in California. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue carried out numerous swift-water rescues in the valley Sunday morning, according to the weather service. Reports and photographs also showed standing water, road flooding and minor erosion, including at Cottonwood Canyon Park, Flamingo Wash on the Strip and Interstate 215 near Charleston. Flooding closed roads in northern Kingman and affected roads in Death Valley National Park. Weather service meteorologist Julie Phillipson said showers and isolated thunderstorms remained possible Monday and Tuesday, mainly in northeastern Clark County and in Lincoln County and Mohave County. The heaviest rain and thunderstorms were expected Monday, easing to showers Tuesday. Some wind could linger, particularly in Esmeralda and Nye counties. Rachel strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Oct. 1 before weakening to a tropical storm. Forecasters had expected its moisture to spread across Southern California and the Southwest. Las Vegas was forecast to reach 70 degrees Monday and 66 Tuesday, then warm to about 80 by Sunday. Temperatures Monday were expected to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Most areas should see highs in the 70s and low 80s later in the week, while some locations could remain in the 50s and 60s. Forecast lows range from the mid-30s to upper 50s. Winds are expected to ease Tuesday and Wednesday, strengthen Thursday and Friday, then become light over the weekend. The weather service anticipated few effects from the winds overall, but noted a minor risk along the Colorado River Valley, where terrain can intensify gusts. The agency’s outlook for Oct. 17-21 calls for above-normal temperatures across the region and precipitation near normal to slightly below normal. It expects near-normal precipitation in southeastern California, Southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, and below-normal totals in the Great Basin.

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