Thunderstorm Wind in Clark County, Nevada

Severe thunderstorms moved into the Las Vegas Valley and nearby Lake Mead bringing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and heavy showers which dumped between 1.50 and 2.25 inches of rain overnight. Several marinas on Lake Mead suffered extensive wind damage and numerous roads were washed out. In the Las Vegas Valley, heavy rain and flooding produced the majority of damage. Major flooding began in the early morning of July 20 and kept washes filled for several hours with numerous swift water rescues performed during the period. One man apparently died of a heart attack while rescue personnel were trying to remove him from his car. Rapidly accumulating water and a clogged drainage system caused the roof of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino to collapse...causing millions of dollars in damage. A few hours later, the same hotel and casino caught fire when it was struck by lightning.