FEMA categorizes it as a rapid-onset flood. A flash flood can occur quickly with little or no warning, such as during periods of extremely heavy rain.

Densely populated areas are at a high risk for flash floods. In urban areas, flash floods can fill underpasses, viaducts, parking structures, low roads, and basements.

Yes! The southwest desert is an environment of extremes, where intense rainfall and subsequent flash floods are common. Recorded reports of flooding in Clark County date back nearly 100 years.

During flood season (July–September), moist unstable air from the Gulf of Mexico is forced rapidly upward by hot air currents. The dynamics of this process often result in spectacular displays of lightning in the desert sky. Too often, they also cause severe thunderstorms with intense rainfall on steep mountain slopes and armored desert surfaces. The rainwater runs off rapidly and concentrates in the urbanized areas at lower elevations.

While floods can and have happened in every month of the year, the most damaging storms occur between July and September.

If you are driving, slow down and exit the road safely as soon as you can. Find an alternative route. Do not attempt to drive through flood waters. When approaching a flooded area, you can’t be sure of the depth of the water or the condition of the road beneath it, which may be broken up or washed away. Worst case, there may be no road left under the water.

As little as 6 inches of swift moving water can sweep most vehicles off a roadway. It takes only 1 foot of floodwater to lift a large truck or SUV. Half of all flood-related deaths occur on the road. The risk is never worth it. 

Even if you are not located in a designated flood zone, your area can still be subject to flooding. All subdivisions constructed after 1992 have been designed to be flood protected from a 100-year flood design flow. That is a flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Floods greater than a 100-year flood have and will occur.

Visit the District’s Flood Zone page to find out about your parcel or home's location.

Flood insurance is available to all residents whether the property is located within a flood zone or not.

For a single family home, coverage is $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for the contents. Policies covering damages to personal property are available to renters as well as homeowners.

The National Flood Insurance Program is backed and subsidized by the Federal government. The actual flood insurance policies, however, are available through most insurance companies. Typical homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for damages to either structures or belongings resulting from floods.

Additional information can be found on the District's Important Flood Insurance Information page.