LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Latest about high winds in Las Vegas and nearby desert areas (all times local):
7:15 p.m.
Tens of thousands of people remain without power in Las Vegas where winds in excess of 70 mph (112.65 kph) have overturned semi-trailer trucks, toppled trees and sent power lines down onto cars near the Strip.
No serious injuries have been reported but widespread power outages and downed traffic lights are snarling traffic in and around Las Vegas. Officials at NV Energy said crews were working Thursday night to restore power to an estimated 42,000 customers.
The high winds snapped a series of telephone poles a few blocks east of the Strip where power lines fell on several cars.
The National Weather Service recorded winds gusting to 82 mph (131.96 kph) at the Red Rock Conservation Area west of Las Vegas, 71 mph (114.26 kph) at North Las Vegas Airport and 60 mph (96.56 kph) at McCarran International Airport, where numerous flights have been delayed.
6:55 p.m.
Tens of thousands of people remain without power in Las Vegas where winds in excess of 70 mph (112.65 kph) have overturned semi-trailer trucks, toppled trees and sent power lines down onto cars near the Strip.
No serious injuries have been reported but widespread power outages and downed traffic lights are snarling traffic in and around Las Vegas. Officials at NV Energy said crews were working Thursday night to restore power to an estimated 42,000 customers.
The high winds snapped a series of telephone poles a few blocks east of the Strip where power lines fell on several cars.
The National Weather Service recorded winds gusting to 82 (131.96 kph) mph at the Red Rock Conservation Area west of Las Vegas, 71 (114.26 kph) mph at North Las Vegas Airport and 60 (96.56 kph) mph at McCarran International Airport, where numerous flights have been delayed.
4:45 p.m.
High winds are being blamed for multiple power outages affecting more than 40,000 NV Energy customers in a wide area around Las Vegas.
Some scattered outages also were reported across northern Nevada.
Television news images showed a row of power poles damaged on a road just east of the Las Vegas Strip.
But NV Energy spokeswoman Jennifer Schuricht (shur-IKT’) says the tourist corridor isn’t among the areas severely affected.
She says one part of North Las Vegas has 7,000 customers without service.
Schuricht says crews are working to restore electricity as quickly and safely as possible, and people should stay away from downed power lines.
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3:55 p.m.
Authorities are advising motorists to stay off highways in the Las Vegas area due to poor visibility and high winds in southern Nevada, California’s San Bernardino County and northwest Arizona.
The Nevada Highway Patrol says two tractor-trailer rollover crashes were reported about 3 p.m. due to the wind, including one blocking Interstate 15 near the St. Rose Parkway overpass just south of Las Vegas and one on the overpass itself.
Trooper Jason Buratczuk (bur-AH’-chek) says both trucks were traveling empty, and neither driver was reported to be seriously hurt.
He says another big rig rollover was reported on U.S. 95 in the Nye County community of Pahrump.
Buratczuk says visibility is poor and loose debris, temporary signs and traffic control barrels are blowing across traffic lanes on freeways throughout the Las Vegas area.
The National Weather Service has issued an emergency alert warning of damaging winds and blowing dust until about 7 p.m.
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3 p.m.
High winds and poor visibility due to blown dust are causing flight delays at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
Airport spokeswoman Christine Crews said Thursday the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a hold about 1 p.m. on departures of commercial flights from other airports to Las Vegas.
The hold was lifted less than an hour later, but the FAA reports that some arriving flights are delayed more than 90 minutes and some departing flights are delayed up to 30 minutes.
Records show that American Airlines flight 2470 from Chicago and AeroMexico flight 484 from Juarez, Mexico, were diverted briefly to Los Angeles International Airport.
The National Weather Service says winds are blowing at more than 30 mph with gusts to 48 mph.
It says gusts could top 60 mph during the afternoon.
Crews says airport delays are expected through the evening and into Friday.
She says passengers should check with their airlines for flight updates and alerts.
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10 a.m.
Authorities have issued warnings and advisories about high winds in Las Vegas and nearby desert areas.
The National Weather Service says strong winds of 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected Thursday afternoon, with gusty conditions continuing through Friday, especially in northwest Las Vegas.
Officials predict dangerous travel conditions with strong crosswinds and blowing dust in desert areas in southern Nevada, California’s San Bernardino County, and northwest Arizona.
They say winds could damage trees, roofs and unsecured structures.
The Clark County Department of Air Quality in Las Vegas issued a dust advisory through Friday morning.
It says construction sites should limit blowing dust, and sensitive people including children with asthma or bronchitis, the elderly, and people with lung or heart disease may want to stay indoors.
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