BREAKING: Lee Canyon Avalanche, Four People Reported Missing Now Found
UPDATE: Lee Canyon will be closed on Tuesday due to extreme weather conditions. On Monday afternoon, the blizzard-like conditions and the snow created the perfect conditions for an avalanche, which…
UPDATE: Lee Canyon will be closed on Tuesday due to extreme weather conditions.
On Monday afternoon, the blizzard-like conditions and the snow created the perfect conditions for an avalanche, which ended up occurring that day.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said four people were initially reported missing. About an hour later, police said they located everyone and they were safe.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada also posted on social media that Lee Canyon Road is closed at US-95 to Mt. Charleston along with Kyle Canyon Road.
Lee Canyon Avalanche Happens Monday Afternoon
Before police posted on social media that they found everyone, publications were scrambling to get information out. The Daily Mail reported that five people were missing. However, police confirmed that it was four.
Moments after Clark County reported the avalanche to the public, police said they sent search and rescue in route to go looking for the missing people. Luckily, officials were able to locate everyone. Police still recommend that everyone should avoid traveling in the Lee Canyon area.
Wet Conditions, More Snowfall Creates Prefect Avalanche Conditions
According to the National Weather Service, it's been wet on the West Coast and Las Vegas with an increase in rainfall. The "culprit" is atmospheric river. Essentially, this is when there's a concentrated channel of moisture coming from the subtropics. This leads to transporting moisture and heavy rainfall into the mid-latitudes.
Avalanches Are No Jokes
Last year, an avalanche in the Mummy Springs Trail on Mt. Charleston killed one man. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the man was caught in the avalanche and died on Jan. 9, 2023.
The National Weather Service said that a winter storm with snow and strong winds will, "load existing weak layers buried deep in the snowpack."
The Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness group says that when you enter snow-covered mountains, you're entering mountain country. Whenever you're skiing or snowboarding, knowing safety tips is crucial.
" In 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year," the National Weather Service said.
Weirdest Weather Events That’ve Happened In Las Vegas, Clark County
This year, Las Vegas has seen its most intense monsoon season in over a decade.
According to the National Weather Service, we haven't received over an inch of rainfall since 2015. This year, Las Vegas received 1.28 inches of rainfall. And this abnormal weather has come with some dire consequences.
Recently, two people were found dead in a flood channel after intense rainfall in the region, according to 8 News Now.
Along with this horrible situation, social media lit up with tons of videos that showed water pouring from the ceilings of casinos or gushing through the streets of The Strip.
But the extreme flooding isn't the only weather anomalies that have been plaguing the region. According to National Public Radio, cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas and Houston have set heat records almost every summer.
Tornados have even been happening in the region. The NWS reports that since 1950, there has been 42 reported tornados in Clark, Lincoln and Mohave Counties.
With all of these floods and weather occurrences happening, it's important to know if your living area is prone to flooding. Click HERE to see if your home or property is located within a flood zone.
There's also a few steps you can take to protect your property if a flash flood warning is sent out.
You also need to be weary of your vehicle's safety when it comes to flash floods. A few seconds can lead to a whole road becoming inundated, which is bad news for your car. Here are some tips to help you navigate flood waters, so you can stay safe and keep your car protected!
Since Vegas is experiencing some funky weather amid this monsoon season, here's a list of the "weirdest" weather events that've happened in Las Vegas!
A Tornado Touched Down In Mesquite Recently
When It Snowed In Las Vegas, Making A Winter Wonderland In The Desert
Slightly Apocalyptic: Grasshoppers Invaded The Vegas Strip
A Casual Tornado At The Luxor Pool
Thunderstorm Murdered 700 Cows
According to the Las Vegas Sun, a complex thunderstorm developed over northeast Clark County. This caused a massive flood that killed over 700 cattle at a dairy farm.
Operation Save The Animals
The snowiest winter in Nevada was in 1948-1949, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Due to an influx of snow, a large airlift operation was initiated to get stranded livestock from northern and eastern Nevada. However, it was too late for 25% of the animals.
