Heavy rain expected prompts Flood Watch for Carson City, western Nevada and Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 4:15pm
Following a quick hitting storm Thursday, another warm atmospheric river will push into the Carson City region and western Nevada beginning early Friday, bringing heavy amounts of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for the region.
High snow levels and prolonged heavy rainfall will allow for significant rises on both mainstem and smaller rivers/streams, forecasters said. This may result in minor to moderate flooding on some area rivers and streams. Low water crossings may be flooded. The flood watch is from Friday morning through Saturday night.
There's also a Winter Storm Watch in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin from Thursday night through Jan. 1, with heavy snow and up to 3 feet possible above 7,000 feet and 5 feet above 8,000 feet.
Rock falls will be possible, especially in steep terrain and where soils are already saturated. Some urban flooding is likely, particularly in low-lying areas or poor drainage, NWS forecasters said.
River and urban flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible for the greater Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas, the greater Lake Tahoe Basin, northern Washoe County, as well as the Lassen, Eastern Plumas and Eastern Sierra and Mono counties in California.
Mainstem river flooding is most likely to occur on the East Fork of the Carson River near Gardnerville and the Susan River at Susanville. Other streams draining significant terrain under 6,500 feet will also be prone to flooding. Out-of-bank flows could result in road closures, causing travel impacts, weather service forecasters said.
High snow levels along with prolonged heavy rainfall on recently saturated ground and snow pack may raise the level of flooding. Forecasters say storm total liquid accumulations of 4 to 7 inches along the Sierra crest, 3 to 5 inches in the Tahoe Basin, and 1.5 to 3.5 inches elsewhere in the Flood Watch, including the Reno, Carson City Minden area are possible.
The weather service advises people should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Sandbag locations
Carson City: The Sand Bagging Station is stocked and ready at the Carson City Corporate Yard, 3505 Butti Way, just north of the main Public Works' building. Bags and sand are supplied. People will need to bring their own shovel and fill your own bags.
Douglas County: Self-Fill Sandbag locations (Please bring a shovel)
• Sheridan Fire Station 980 Sheridan Lane
• Genoa Fire Station 2298 Main Street
• Highland Way at the large water tank (Holbrook Highlands area)
• Johnson Lane Fire Station 1450 Stephanie Lane
• Fish Springs Fire Station 2249 Fish Springs Road
• Ruhenstroth Fire Station 2008 Pinto Circle
• Kahal Community Center (Lake Tahoe)
Lyon County: The county has several sandbag locations set up and is encouraging residents to be prepared for upcoming storm events expected to impact the region through the end of 2022. The wet weather could bring flooding to smaller streams, poor drainage areas and areas prone to flooding.
Sandbag locations are open year-round to residents. Each sandbag location has both sand and bags to fill, bags are located in the brown bear box at each site. Residents must bring their own shovel as the county doesn’t have any at the fill locations. The sandbag locations are:
· Mound House Fire Station – 56 Red Rock Rd., Mound House
· Silver City Community Center - 385 High St., Silver City
· Fire Station #39 - 460 Dayton Valley Rd., Dayton
· Dayton Valley Road, just southwest of Sutro Rd
· Fire Station #35 - 231 Corral Dr., Dayton
· Stagecoach Community Center - 8105 US-50, Stagecoach
· Silver Springs JPO Office - 1075 Pyramid Ave., Silver Springs
Storey County: The following locations have been established for self-filling sand and sandbags; residents will need to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags:
Lockwood: Fire Station 74, located at 431 Canyon Way in Lockwood
Mark Twain: Mark Twain Community Center, located at 500 Sam Clemens Ave. in Dayton
Virginia City Highlands: Fire Station 72, located at 2610 Cartwright Rd.
Virginia City: Located to the left as you drive towards the Icehouse property immediately east of Public Works Department, located at 110 Toll Road in Virginia City
For the latest road information see NVroads.com. Check back for updates.
