Every time it rains in Las Vegas, we seem to be bombarded by video and images of water rushing through LINQ’s parking garage. No matter how many times it’s happened, the same clips seem to dominate social media.
We all know it happens, and are constantly reminded that “It’s supposed to work that way”, but many are left wondering why the issue doesn’t get fixed.
The LINQ, formerly the Imperial Palace, was built smack dab on top of a natural feature known as the Flamingo Wash which is a waterway that drains water from the Las Vegas Valley toward Lake Mead.
Although it’s typically dry as a bone, the wash comes to life when it rains.
Once an above-ground stream, the Flamingo Wash now runs through man-made tunnels beneath Interstate 15, Caesars Palace, and Las Vegas Blvd. to LINQ, where it “daylights” or empties out in the first level of the parking garage.
The water flows through the LINQ parking garage (stranding any cars parked in the upper levels), down LINQ’s driveway, and into a duct behind the ramp that whisks the water away.
Once the rain stops, the LINQ floodwaters generally clear pretty quickly, and it’s back to business as usual. Generally, only parking operations are affected and the rest of the business goes on as it always would.
The crazy thing is, the system was designed to do exactly this.
Why Don’t They Fix the Issue?
A Las Vegas Sun article dated April 6, 2004, quoted a spokesman for the Clark County Public Works Department as saying they “have “highly encouraged” the hotel to make major structural improvements to prevent such flooding, and the hotel has declined to do so.”
The Imperial Palace public relations manager at the time said that IP (Now LINQ) hadn’t identified an “engineering solution that would be viable” and that “All we can do, it seems, is just monitor the flood situation and look out for everybody”.
That’s where we stand today – Clear that bad boy out every time it starts to rain.
The bottom line is that there doesn’t appear to be a feasible fix until LINQ is imploded and something new is erected in its place.
It’s not a big deal, the water is designed to flow through the first level of LINQ’s parking ramp and into the Winnick Avenue Grate.
It’s an inconvenient design but generally, there is minimal damage to LINQ, and parking lot traffic is (usually) cleared out before the waters rage.
In the meantime, treat LINQ parking garage flooding as another free Las Vegas attraction, right up there with the Bellagio Fountains and the Mirage Volcano.
See Also: 60+ Things to do with Kids in Vegas.
Feature Image Credit: ©4kclips/123RF
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
RJ
Thursday 11th of January 2018
So no one has ever been hurt by the flash flooding?
Jake
Sunday 14th of January 2018
Unfortunately, people have gotten hurt/died. My understanding is that its often the homeless community that makes the wash tunnels their home. Heres a link to a recent death/rescue: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/aug/07/man-57-who-drowned-during-las-vegas-flash-flood-id/
Brett Thompson
Wednesday 10th of January 2018
Yup! I remember the flooding at the old Imperial Palace but never knew it was actually supposed to flood. Wonder how long the linq will last . The renovated rooms there are actually pretty nice though.