[ARRL-OK] ARES/RACES Volunteers Mobilize in Wake of Nevada Flash Flooding

[Mark Conklin via ARRL-OK]

ARRL.org
09/10/2014 
ARES/RACES members in Clark County, Nevada, activated Monday, September 8, 
after heavy rains sparked flash flooding. The Amateur Radio volunteers deployed 
after being called up by local emergency managers to support communication 
during recovery efforts in the Moapa Valley northeast of Las Vegas. At 
least two people died as a result of the flooding.

A slow-moving storm that spun off from Hurricane Norbert dumped nearly 4 
inches of rain within the space of 90 minutes onto the town of Moapa. Heavy 
flooding and mud closed nearly 50 miles of Interstate 15, stranding motorist and 
truckers, buckling or washing away pavement in many areas. Nevada Department of 
Transportation officials said they expected that it would take several days 
before the highway would be reopened. Some alternate routes also were 
impassible. The flooding has been called the worst in more than 30 years.

Emergency sheltering was needed for nearly 200 tribal members of the Moapa 
River Reservation, as well as nearly 90 elementary and high school students. 
Stranded motorists were being cared for at a middle school in Mesquite, on the 
Arizona border.

ARES personnel staffed the Emergency Operations Center in Las Vegas, and the 
Clark County Mobile Communications Vehicle was on the scene. — Thanks to ARRL 
Nevada PIC John Bigley, N7UR

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Posted by:
Mark Conklin, N7XYO
Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
918.232.8346
n7xyo at arrl.net
Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO

http://www.aresok.org/