High winds turned a quiet Las Vegas block into a disaster zone late Sunday, ripping down power poles behind a Jerry Drive home, dropping a live line into the backyard pool and touching off both flooding and fire that left five people and two pets without running water. The family says they had to shut off the water line at the sidewalk and are now leaning on neighbors for showers, drinking water and hoses while they wait for an insurance call.
Backyard Blast And Water Everywhere
Homeowner Sharon Fackrell told KTNV she heard "an enormous explosion in the backyard" after several poles went down in the gusty winds and a severed conductor crashed into the family pool. The fallen line allegedly wiped out the pool equipment and plumbing, and water started pushing into the house from sinks and bathrooms and even bubbling up through the floor, while neighbors spotted flames outside and raced to warn the family.
Valleywide Winds Topple Poles
The same weekend winds were snapping poles across the Las Vegas Valley and knocking out power in pockets of the city, according to FOX5, which also shared viewer video of a loose line striking a home. The National Weather Service had posted a High Wind Warning ahead of the storm, telling residents to brace for falling debris and the possibility of downed power lines.
Insurance Waiting Game And Legal Questions
After firefighters cleared the scene, Fackrell said she contacted her homeowners insurer, Travelers, but initially felt like she was getting "the runaround," according to KTNV. She said an agent later told her an adjuster is expected to visit on Thursday, with a coverage decision possibly arriving Friday. In the meantime, she has reached out to a lawyer, while neighbors are opening their doors, bathrooms and outdoor spigots to help the family manage life without running water.
What Officials Say And Basic Safety Reminders
According to 2 News, the Public Utilities Commission requires NV Energy to follow a Natural Disaster Protection Plan aimed at cutting the risk that its equipment will spark fires during extreme weather. Federal safety guidance also stresses that downed lines and floodwater can be a deadly combination. The CDC advises people never to touch a fallen wire or step into standing water that could be energized, and to call 9-1-1 and the local utility immediately to report any downed equipment.
