Heavy rain slammed Las Vegas on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, dumping nearly 10% of the city’s annual rainfall in just one hour — enough to turn the basement of the LINQ Hotel into a temporary lake. Water reached 30 centimeters (one foot) deep in the car park, as captured on video by journalist Kym Illman. But here’s the twist: the Formula One Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix — set to start Saturday night — wasn’t canceled. Not even delayed. Because in Las Vegas, flash floods aren’t disasters. They’re just… Tuesday.
When the Desert Floods
Las Vegas averages just 4 inches of rain a year. When it comes, it doesn’t trickle — it pours. And because the desert soil can’t absorb much, water rushes toward low points: parking garages, underpasses, hotel entrances. The Las Vegas Strip isn’t built for rain. It’s built for heat, neon, and crowds. Drainage tunnels exist, yes, but they’re designed for occasional downpours, not the kind that hits like a firehose.
Illman, reporting from the flooded LINQ basement, noted the noise — the sloshing, the gurgling — but also the calm. "There are no cars parked down here that are in danger," he said. And that’s the story. No evacuations. No stranded tourists. Just a few dozen hotel staff shoveling water out of service corridors while security guards kept curious guests away from the edges.
Why the F1 Race Was Never in Jeopardy
The Formula One Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix doesn’t start until Saturday, November 22, at 8:00 p.m. local time — a deliberate shift from last year’s 10 p.m. start and the 2023 midnight kickoff. "The first year was way too late," Illman explained. This year’s earlier start was meant to capture more U.S. TV viewers, and it also gave organizers breathing room.
By Wednesday morning, the flood watch had lifted. By Thursday, light rain interrupted practice sessions, but it was more drizzle than deluge. By Friday, the sky had cleared. The National Weather Service Las Vegas issued a seven-day forecast with zero precipitation. Saturday? Cloudy, 64°F, no rain. Sunday? Sunny, 65°F. Monday? 64°F. Tuesday? 63°F. Perfect.
"The track is designed to kind of clear water away," said Matt Reigle on FOX Weather’s broadcast. "With slick tires, the cars will go over it, parts of the tire will come off on the track, and that’ll mean that there’s more potential for challenging conditions." He wasn’t warning of cancellation. He was warning of drama.
What Fans Should Expect
Illman’s blog laid out the real risks: slick streets, delayed taxis, flooded hotel access points. "Expect drainage variability," he wrote. "Low-level areas and underground entrances will flood faster than others." He wasn’t exaggerating. The LINQ basement? That’s a known hotspot. The Venetian’s valet? Same. The Aria’s underground tunnel to the convention center? Watch your step.
But on the track? That’s where things get interesting. F1 cars don’t just handle rain — they thrive on it. Wet tires, spray, unpredictable grip. Safety cars. Red flags. A race that could turn on a single corner. And with the track still damp from Thursday’s showers, teams had to adjust setups — more downforce, softer compounds. The weather may have been calm, but the strategy war was heating up.
The Bigger Picture: Climate, Infrastructure, and the F1 Mirage
This isn’t the first time Las Vegas has flooded before a major event. In 2023, a similar downpour hit the day before qualifying. No one panicked. Why? Because it’s routine. Las Vegas doesn’t have hurricanes. It doesn’t get snow. But when it rains — and it’s rare — the city’s infrastructure reacts like a startled desert animal. It’s not broken. It’s just not built for moisture.
But F1? It’s built for spectacle. And spectacle doesn’t care if the streets are wet. It cares if the lights are on, the crowds are roaring, and the cars are sliding sideways. The city knows this. That’s why they didn’t cancel. They didn’t even pause. They just waited. And now, with perfect weather forecasted for race day, the only thing left to worry about is whether Lewis Hamilton can outbrake Max Verstappen on the final chicane.
What’s Next?
By Sunday, November 23, the race will be over. The trophy will be raised. The Strip will return to its usual rhythm. But behind the scenes, city planners are quietly reviewing drainage maps. The 2026 Grand Prix is already in the books. And with climate models suggesting more extreme, sporadic rain events in the Southwest, the question isn’t whether Las Vegas will flood again — it’s whether the city will be ready for it when the world’s eyes are watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Formula One Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix be canceled due to rain?
No. Despite flooding in low-lying areas like the LINQ Hotel basement on November 18, 2025, race organizers and the National Weather Service confirmed the event would proceed as scheduled. The track’s drainage system is designed to handle brief downpours, and no precipitation was forecast for race day on November 22. F1 has raced in wet conditions before — and Las Vegas has learned to expect them.
Why did the race start at 8:00 p.m. in 2025 instead of midnight like in 2023?
The 2025 start time was moved to 8:00 p.m. to better align with East Coast broadcast windows, increasing U.S. TV viewership. In 2023, the race began at midnight, which limited live audience engagement and diluted American ratings. Organizers, citing feedback from NBC and Formula 1’s global audience data, adjusted the schedule to balance excitement with accessibility — and it worked.
How dangerous was the flooding for visitors?
The flooding was dramatic but not dangerous. Water reached only 30 cm in isolated spots like the LINQ’s basement car park, with no vehicles or guests trapped. Authorities issued a flood watch, not a warning, and no evacuations occurred. Las Vegas is accustomed to rapid runoff due to its desert drainage systems. The real risk was slippery sidewalks and delayed transportation — not flooding itself.
What impact did the rain have on the race weekend’s schedule?
Light showers on Thursday, November 20, briefly disrupted practice sessions, but no delays were called. Friday’s track was dry by midday, and teams adjusted tire compounds accordingly. With no rain forecast for Saturday, qualifying and the race proceeded without interruption. The wet conditions earlier in the week actually helped teams test wet-weather setups — giving them an edge for potential rain in future races.
Is this kind of flooding common in Las Vegas?
Yes — but not often. Las Vegas averages less than 4 inches of rain annually, so when it rains hard, it’s noticeable. Flash floods occur roughly every 2–3 years near the Strip, mostly in low-lying parking structures. The city’s drainage tunnels handle most of it quickly. What makes this event newsworthy isn’t the flood itself — it’s that it happened right before the most high-profile event in the city’s history.
What’s the forecast for the days after the race?
After the race on November 22, the National Weather Service predicted sunny skies through at least November 25, with highs between 63°F and 65°F. No precipitation was expected. This clear stretch allowed fans to enjoy the post-race festivities without weather disruptions — a welcome contrast to the chaotic start to the week.
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