Officials brace for widespread flooding near Reno
By: MARTIN GRIFFITH,Associated Press
Employees in the surrounding area of Coney Island Drive fill sandbags Friday, in Sparks, Nev. Northern Nevada authorities canceled Christmas celebrations and piled up sandbags Friday in anticipation of pounding rain and widespread flooding over the weekend. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the length of the Truckee River as a large, slow-moving storm started to build. Such warnings are seen in Nevada only once or twice in a decade, Reno-based meteorologist Brian Brong said.
Officials were bracing for major flooding Sunday morning around
The Truckee, which flows more than 100 miles from Lake Tahoe to Nevada’s Pyramid Lake, was expected to crest above flood stage after heavy rains hit the region Saturday night and Sunday morning. The weather Saturday included high winds that prompted more than a dozen flight cancellations at the
“Looking at the river now, it gives a false sense of security because it looks normal,” city of
New rainfall amounts are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches around
Northern Nevada authorities declared a state of emergency Friday after forecasters said heavy rain and a melting Sierra snowpack would send the
The snow level was expected to rise as high as 10,000 feet by early Sunday morning and may not fall below 8,000 feet until late Sunday afternoon.
Forecasters were calling for minor flooding in the downtown
Among other things, Sandoval was briefed Saturday afternoon on the area’s flood preparation efforts.
Winds of up to 140 mph over the Sierra crest prompted at least 16 flight cancellations and several delays Saturday at
“That’s all about safety. The airlines make the decision, not the airport,” he said Saturday night. “We can’t do anything about Mother Nature.”
Kulpin urged travelers to check airline websites for the status of flights before heading to the airport on Sunday morning.