Las Vegas dust storm: Thousands without power as flights diverted, fires sparked

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A dust storm swept through Las Vegas and southern Nevada on Saturday night, forcing flights to be diverted and sparking fires, flood warnings and power outages in the popular tourist destination.

 

Here are the latest updates:

Update 1:45 p.m. EDT Aug. 13: About 1,000 NV Energy customers remained without power by 10:45 a.m. local time Monday, according to officials with the utility.

The company said in a tweet Monday that a majority of customers had their power back Monday, although “there are some who are still experiencing an extended outage.”

Officials with NV Energy said crews were working to replace poles and downed lines.

Update 2:54 a.m. EDT Aug. 13: Power has been restored to most customers in the region, NV Energy is reporting. According to its website, just over 3,300 customers were without power by 2:54 a.m. EDT Monday.

Update 3:02 p.m. EDT Aug. 12: According to NV Energy, power has been restored in many areas of the Las Vegas Valley, with only slightly more than 10,000 customers still without power. Clark County officials said  four shelters were opened Sunday to help residents still without power, KLAS reported.

Update 8:25 a.m. EDT Aug. 12: According to NV Energy, power has been restored in some areas of the Las Vegas Valley, but more than 33,000 customers remain without power.

Original report: According to KLAS, storms have knocked out power to more than 60,000 people in the Las Vegas Valley.

 

Wind gusts up to 71 mph were reported at Nellis Air Force Base, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

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The Las Vegas Fire Department confirmed late Saturday that it "responded to numerous calls ... of wires down, powerpoles down [and] a few outside fires due to downed wires." No weather-related injuries have been reported, the department said.

 
 
 
 

Meanwhile, BBC reporter Dave Lee tweeted late Saturday that Vegas' McCarran Airport was "closed," while others posted screen grabs showing numerous diverted flights.

 
 
 

Videos also circulated on social media showing the winds howling through tourist areas and sporting events. Check out some of the posts below:

 
 

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