LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Rain on Friday caused flooding in parts of the Arts District, and business owners worked to protect their shops from the water.
Business owners said it was the worst flooding they have seen. Neighbors said they immediately stepped in to help one another keep their doors open.
Water reaches storefronts
Inches of floodwater covered Arts District sidewalks Friday afternoon. Passing cars pushed waves of water into shops.
Karina Carancho, owner of Plur City, said the water rose over the sidewalk and then flowed in as cars drove by.
“Eventually it flowed over the sidewalk. And then anytime a car drove by, it was like a wave of water just rushing in through the sides of the door,” Carancho said.
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Owners use merchandise to block water
Water began filling Carancho’s boutique around 12:30. She used clothes from her sales racks to block the water before crews arrived.
“I really had no choice. It was either, you know, I was just going to let the water freely flow in or I had to use some of my own things,” Carancho said.
Los West Coast, a shop steps away, said thousands of dollars in merchandise were ruined, from leather vests to flooring.
“And I was like, oh, my goodness… it lifted up the entire the paint right here… You could see some of the paint chipping all around since we tried cleaning,” said Lesly Garvey, a shop owner at Los West Coast.
Sandbags delivered, drainage project continues
Tony Chavez, co-founder of the Arts District Action Coalition, said he delivered emergency sandbags to the area. He said water commonly backs up along Casino Center.
“So it was a bit of a surprise that it hit so heavily over here. But again, hence why we do have that drainage project going on. So hopefully we can get that settled out soon,” Chavez said.
The Charleston Boulevard storm drain project remains underway. The project’s goals include preventing future flooding in this part of the valley.
The city said crews will spend the next few weeks paving in the area. Commerce Street remains closed south of Charleston to help expedite work.
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