Following a turbulent windstorm that left more than 20,000 Las Vegans in the dark, the emergency shelter at the Las Vegas Convention Center is closing doors as power has been almost fully restored across the valley. According to a statement obtained by News3LV, the shelter provided refuge to 37 individuals, alongside two dogs and one cat, all of whom have since been able to return to their homes as of yesterday morning.
Initially triggered by a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday, a dust storm brought in unprecedented 64 mph gusts, as reported by FOX5 Vegas. The fierce winds were responsible for toppling power poles and causing considerable outages throughout the area. Some vehicles, which were trapped under poles at Tropicana and McLeod, have now been cleared from the streets. However, the road closure, which is still in effect, continues halting the flow of traffic.
NV Energy has been working vigorously to restore the lifeline of electricity to its customers. Their website indicates that, thankfully, only two customers remain without power as of Friday morning. This comes after the concerted efforts of NV Energy crews who responded to more than 50 storm-related outages and replaced approximately 70 damaged poles, involving teams of four to five workers each, as mentioned by FOX5 Vegas.
The cooling sites that sprung up in the wake of the power outages also saw the end of their necessity and have been deactivated. Clark County has expressed its gratitude for the quick response and aid provided by various regional partners, including the LVCVA, Red Cross, and RTC. Roland Mitchell, a resident of the affected area, relayed to FOX5 Vegas that the blackout presented a "challenge," but with resolve, he and others "made through it."
For those still experiencing power issues, NV Energy advises contacting their customer service at 702-402-5555. Meanwhile, with power lines now mended and the arduous task of infrastructure repair underway, the Las Vegas community begins to pulse back to its rhythm, adjusting to normalcy in the wake of nature's unexpected disruption.
