Nelson's Landing Nevada Flash Flood 1974

Victims of the Nelson's Landing Flash Flood

Southern Nevada
September 14 1974

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Southern Nevada

September 14, 1974

Flash Flood

On Saturday, September 14, 1974 - at Nelson's Landing, a popular weekend fishing resort about 50 miles southeast of Las Vegas, 12 feet of water caused by torrential rains sweeps through Eldorado canyon, sweeping everything in its path into Lake Mohave, including the resort, restaurant, several cars and 20 residences. According to eyewitnesses, there was maybe five seconds of warning. Ten people are known killed by this disaster.

Note:  A tenth victim, Jack Dailey, has been brought to my attention by a visitor.  Thank you! 

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Do you have any stories or memories of those on this list? This is a list of all known victims - there may be more not listed. If you have information on this, please send it to me so that I can add your information to the list.

Any stories, memories, or photos of the victims you wish to share are welcome. for all items received, a rose will be placed in that person's memory next to the information.

Memorial to Victims of the Flood

**This list has been cross-referenced with the Social Security Death Index to supply dates of birth, residences, etc.**

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Marian CARTER - b. 28 Nov 1917 - d. 14 Sep 1974 - Waitress at Nelson's Landing Cafe

 

In Honor of Jack DaileyJack DAILEY

Thanks to the visitor to this site that submitted the following story about the flood.

I lay back on my pack to listen to the sounds of nature interrupted by an airplane leaving a con-trail high above me while trying to pick out a tune on the harmonica. There wasn’t a cloud in view. Suddenly I heard the sound of a train from way up stream, it seemed to be coming my way fast. [There was not a train track within a hundred miles of me.]

I jumped up, threw everything into my tarp, grabbing the four corners I threw it over my back and started climbing the rocky cliff. I looked back to see water coming around the corner of this dry stream and bearing down on that nice comfortable place where I had been but a minute before.

I watched this become a five foot wall of surging water moving rocks, brush and everything that was not solidly anchored, right past where I had been laying, and on down the water course. I was Lucky or Blessed, maybe both. I just stood and offered a prayer of “Thanks” as I watched the flood go by and the waters recede.

It seemed big! It was quick! t was powerful! Then it was gone!

Four years later while up on the mountains above Las Vegas, I saw a huge build-up of clouds out over the desert probably 20-30 miles south of us. I turned to a friend, Preston Hubbs, and said, pointing at the clouds, “Someone’s going to get hurt today”.

We were shocked by the news on the radio and television that evening:
September 14, 1974 Flash Flood
On Saturday, September 14, 1974 - at Nelson's Landing, a popular weekend fishing resort about 50 miles southeast of Las Vegas, 12 feet of water caused by torrential rains sweeps through Eldorado canyon, sweeping everything in its path into Lake Mohave, including the resort, restaurant, several cars and 20 residences. According to eyewitnesses, there was maybe five seconds of warning. Nine people are known killed by this disaster. ( from Your article)

Here is a tenth victim whom I had known for years, Since 1966 BS (Before Dr Seuss) when he was a vice principal at Roy Martin Jr High and aka: "The Master of Swat". As a Juvenile P.O., Jack would call me to the school, when he had a discipline problem deserving an immediate consequence, and I was his witness to that action. Needless to say there were very few discipline problems from that school, during class or after school while he was there.

Jack taught biology and history at Rancho and coached the baseball team. They went to Valley together, where he became athletic director.

Jack Dailey was killed in a flash flood at Nelson's Landing while boating there in 1974. On April 13, 1989, the Clark County School District Board of Trustees approved that a school be named after him. Jack Dailey Elementary opened in the fall of 1992.

Lawrence Anthony (Ted) DUCEY - age 47 - Claremont, California - b. 11 Jun 1927 in California - d. 14 Sep 1974 - Head Basketball Coach at Claremont Men's Harvey Mudd College

Herbert GRUGEL - age 55 - Anaheim, California - b. 25 Dec 1917 in Illinois - d. 14 Sep 1974

Tsutoma KINUGASA - age 19 - Monterey Park, California

John MODLIN - age 6 - son of James & Mary Modlin

Kelly MODLIN - age 3 - child of James & Mary Modlin

Mary MODLIN - b. 19 Feb 1942 - d. 14 Sep 1974 - wife of park ranger James Modlin

Frank OLSON - b. 15 Apr 1932 - d. 14 Sep 1974 - Las Vegas, Nevada - electrician

Nadine PETERSON - approx 45 - Las Vegas, Nevada - was fishing with her husband at Lake Mohave