Commissioners declare Douglas County disaster area after latest flooding
Following damaging winds and flood waters in the Carson Valley that left power lines down and roads covered with standing water, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners has declared a state of emergency, the Douglas County Joint Information Center said in a press release Saturday.
Flooding may continue in the area for the duration of the weekend, Douglas County officials said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno reports that the Carson River crested at around 12 feet late Friday night, causing a major flood event for the region. The river was measured at 11.8 feet as of Saturday morning, the NWS reported.
Major flooding of the Carson River occurs when the water level rises to above 11 feet. Flood stage for the river is 10 feet.
The flood warning remains in effect until late Saturday night, the NWS reports.
Douglas County's emergency declaration has been submitted to the State of Nevada, county officials said, allow regional partners to speed up delivery of resources required to more effectively aid in requesting additional resources, aid in recovery, and meet the needs of the community during a time of crisis.
U.S. Highway 395, the main arterial between communities in the Carson Valley and Carson City, had been closed in both directions since Friday morning between Jacks Valley Road to the north and Stephanie Way to south because the Carson River had flooded the highway at the Cradlebaugh Bridge.
Traffic had been diverted during that time south of Stephanie way through Genoa and along Jacks Valley Road to where it intersected with the highway in northern Douglas County and South Carson City.
But the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) and Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) both reported Saturday morning that Highway 395 was reopened to one lane in each direction from the northbound lanes of the highway. Both southbound lanes of the highway remain closed.
Currently East Fork Fire Protection District, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Road Department, and several entities are working together, and staying in close communication with the NWS to monitor changing conditions.
Resources are being staged strategically throughout Carson Valley so that first responders can quickly assist citizens as incidents arise.
Voluntary evacuations of the Aspen Mobile Home Park and Kings Lane Mobile Home Park occurred late Thursday evening and Friday morning.
The Community and Senior Center had been set up as a shelter, and was taking evacuees and their pets.
Douglas County is encouraging residents to utilize the Douglas County Flood Hotline to assist them in obtaining non-emergency information related to current flooding in Douglas County.
The hotline, staffed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Patrol, has been in operation since Friday morning.
The numbers to call are (775) 783-6404 or (775) 782-9099.
Response priorities for county road crews include life safety, preventing damage to homes, maintaining emergency access to property, and providing for safe travel on County roads.
Go here for road closures and flood updates in Douglas County.
Go here for sandbag locations throughout the Carson Valley and Douglas County.
Flood safety and preparation information can be accessed here.
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