Clark County Braces for Flash Floods with New Life-Saving Infrastructure
Hey everyone, it's that time of year again in Southern Nevada—the flash flood season is right around the corner. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you know how fast things can go from dry to dangerous when those monsoon clouds roll in. That’s why Clark County is taking major steps this year to prepare, and honestly, it couldn’t come at a better time.
This week, county officials, engineers, and emergency planners gathered in East Las Vegas to spotlight the nearly complete Jim McGaughey Detention Basin. It’s a brand-new flood control project designed to protect one of the most flood-prone areas of the valley. This isn’t just another construction site—it’s a $23 million investment in safety, built specifically to capture and control runoff from Frenchman Mountain during sudden storms.
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Let’s be real: flash flooding here isn’t just an inconvenience. Since 1990, we’ve lost more than 25 lives to floods in Clark County alone. And what’s heartbreaking is that many of those tragedies could’ve been avoided. That’s why you’ll keep hearing that phrase again and again: "Turn around, don’t drown." It sounds simple, but it saves lives. Don't drive through flooded streets. Don’t play in storm channels. Floodwaters are fast, unpredictable, and powerful.
The Jim McGaughey Basin, named after a former assemblyman who championed flood safety after a child tragically died in a flood decades ago, will hold 71 acre-feet of water. That’s a massive amount, and it could be the difference between minor street flooding and devastating home damage for East Las Vegas residents. And it’s not just one basin—Clark County now has over 100 of them, with 31 more on the way.
Now, I know some of you are wondering, “Will we even get a real monsoon season this year?” That’s still up in the air. Weather experts say we’re in a neutral pattern—neither El Niño nor La Niña—so predictions are murky. We’ve already seen early summer storms this June, but that doesn’t guarantee a wet season ahead. The takeaway? Even if it seems quiet, don’t let your guard down. Flooding can happen any time.
So as we head into the July-to-September stretch, please stay alert. Listen for warnings, keep your emergency kits stocked, and stay out of washes and basins. Clark County has done its part building this crucial infrastructure—but now it’s up to all of us to stay safe and smart when the rain comes.
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