LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – As rain fell across the Las Vegas Valley Monday, North Las Vegas firefighters got a head start on preparation for monsoon season.
In the middle of the desert, where water is rare but powerful firefighters trained for one of the most dangerous rescues they might face: swift water.
“So annually we go through this training to make sure that we’re up to date and ready for any swift water scenarios that come up in the Valley,” said North Las Vegas Firefighter Jalen Landis.
Training takes place at Cowabunga Canyon, using the lazy river and wave pool to simulate flood channels.
“We’re practicing throwing rope bags reaching, reaching for victims in the water, shooting tender lines across just the whole scenario of any route we would do to get a victim out of any swift water we come across,” Landis said.
While rain might not seem like a big deal, in Las Vegas, flash floods are a real threat.
“In the valley obviously in the desert we have flash floods our soil doesn’t soak up that water as well as it does in other parts in the country so anytime it does rain it comes down pretty hard,” Landis said. “It happens fast, so anytime it rains the flash floods can come very quickly and it can take you without you knowing.”
Flood channels can turn deadly in minutes – and even just a few inches of water on the roads can lift a car off the ground.
“Don’t be down in the standing water, it could be dangerous. Whether it’s your vehicle, or if you’re walking through it, cutting through that water, there’s manhole covers and stuff that can be hazardous to people walking through the flood channels.”
Firefighters urge people to stay out of flooded streets, flood channels, and drainage areas when it rains.
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