Nevada, 1998

Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Nevada, September 8, 1998

September 8, 1998 · NWS VEF · 4 events in 1 county or zone

A severe thunderstorm rapidly developed over the south end of the Las Vegas Valley and moved north focusing damaging winds and heavy rain mainly across the eastern half of the metro area. High winds toppled trees in Henderson and downed power lines which blocked both north and southbound lanes of Interstate 15 for about 40 minutes just north of the Warm Springs overpass.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$15,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS VEF wrote it up.

A severe thunderstorm rapidly developed over the south end of the Las Vegas Valley and moved north focusing damaging winds and heavy rain mainly across the eastern half of the metro area. High winds toppled trees in Henderson and downed power lines which blocked both north and southbound lanes of Interstate 15 for about 40 minutes just north of the Warm Springs overpass. Rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 1.20 inches fell in less than 30 minutes in many locations producing widespread street flooding and full washes. Flooding also caused minor damage to some homes in Henderson.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
September 8, 1:05 PM PST
Where
Clark County, Las Vegas
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.170, -115.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
September 8, 1:10 PM PST
Where
Clark County, Henderson
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.030, -114.980

Flash Flood, Clark

When
September 8, 1:20 PM PST
Where
Clark County, Henderson
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.215, -115.014 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Clark

When
September 8, 1:53 PM PST
Where
Clark County, Las Vegas
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
36.215, -115.014 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nevada in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, September 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5672445, 5672442, 5672443, 5672444.