Las Vegas Drying Out After Its Heaviest Rain in 3 Years

LAS VEGAS — Traffic moved freely again Tuesday as residents began drying out from the heaviest rain in this gambling resort in more than three years.

Scattered light rain was reported in some areas of the city Tuesday, but floodwaters receded overnight and intersections that had been closed by the flooding were reopened.

“It looks pretty much like the flooding part of it is over,” said Frank Taylor of the National Weather Service.

Taylor said 0.82 of an inch of rain fell in a 24-hour period that ended at noon Tuesday, bringing the total for the year to 5.43 inches of rain. That compares to a normal of 3.46 inches for this time of year.

Taylor said scattered showers will continue in the area through Friday but said there was no heavy rain forecast from the system that has been over the Las Vegas Valley since Saturday.

Many major intersections were blocked by water up to three feet deep Monday after a noon downpour that dumped more than a third of an inch of rain in less than 30 minutes.

Police said 168 minor, rain-related traffic accidents were reported through Monday night.

About 90,000 delegates to an annual computer trade show had to wade to and from their hotels and various buildings around the Las Vegas Convention Center on Monday.

But none of the city’s casinos or hotels reported flooding problems.