Update, published Sunday., Jan. 1, at 8:50 p.m. PT.
Storm results in tens of thousands without electricity
Washoe, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey counties have opened warming shelters for people without power. Roughly 28,000 Nevada residents were affected by power outages as of 8:50 p.m. Sunday, according to NV Energy, and power might not be fully restored until Tuesday.
For Washoe County residents, there is a warming center at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center located at 4590 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502, operated by Washoe County Emergency Management with the support of the Red Cross. Washoe County Regional Animal Services is providing a few crates for pets as well. If you need transportation to the center, call the Washoe County Sheriff’s non-emergency number at 775-785-9276.
Douglas County has an emergency warming shelter for residents at the Douglas County Community and Senior Center, 1329 Waterloo Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89410. Additionally, Douglas County Emergency Management has collaborated with Harvey’s Lake Tahoe to put a warming area in place at the Harvey’s Convention Center Pre-Function area, 18 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449. The casino will provide coffee, water, power strips, and tables from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday.
Lyon County has opened a warming shelter at the Dayton Senior Center, 320 Old Dayton Valley Rd, Dayton, NV 89403. Residents with supportive medical devices who need assistance due to the power outage are welcome. The City of Yerington has also opened a warming shelter at the James Sanford Community Center located at the Yerington City Hall, 14 East Goldfield Ave. Pets are welcome but must be in a crate or on a leash. If you need transportation to the shelter, call the non-emergency Lyon County Dispatch number at 775-463-6620.
Storey County has two warming centers. One is at the Virginia City Fire Station, 145 C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, in the small building on the south side of the station. Residents can charge their phones there but are asked to bring water, snacks, and cell phone power cords. The other is at the Lockwood Senior Center, 800 Peri Ranch Rd, Lockwood, NV 89434.
The Row and Peppermill Reno are also offering discounted rates to those without power. Use the code “SNOW23” at The Row and “HSNO” at the Peppermill. Bring your local ID. Other safety tips can be found here.
NV Energy outages can be found and reported here.
To learn about road conditions, including closures and chain and snow tire requirements, visit the Nevada Department of Transportation’s map here. Live updates can also be found at @nevadadotreno and @nevadadotelko. Find California highway conditions here.
Update, published Saturday, Dec. 31, at 6:45 p.m. PT.
Winter storm brings heavy snow
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Western Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe area, Reno and Sparks, Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville, Verdi, and Virginia City, along with the Western Nevada Basin and Range, including Pyramid Lake, and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties.
Other areas under the warning are Northeastern California, including Mono County, Eastern Sierra, including Lassen, and Eastern Plumas, through Sunday at 4 a.m.
Eastern Nevada, including Northern Elko County and the Ruby Mountains, and the East Humboldt Range, along with White Pine and Southern Lander and Eureka Counties, are also under a winter storm through Sunday at 4 p.m.
Heavy snow is forecast. Officials are advising residents to avoid travel because you could get stuck in your vehicle. If you must travel, bring an emergency kit with food, water, and clothing.
Tips for staying safe during a winter storm by the Red Cross can be found here.
Update, published Thursday, Dec. 29, at 5:30 p.m. PT.Officials ask residents to prepare for potential flooding
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Northeastern California and Western Nevada from Friday morning through Saturday evening. There’s also a flood watch for Humboldt County through Sunday morning.
River, creek, and stream flooding, especially on the east fork of the Carson River near Gardnerville, is possible, according to officials. As well as flash floods anywhere along the Susan River near Susanville.
Fire scar areas are also a concern, particularly where the Tamarack Fire burned. National Weather Service meteorologist Heather Richards explained why.
“With burn scars, the soil after a fire behaves much like concrete, and so when it rains or snows on top of that soil, it will not absorb as readily as it would have prior to the fire. Instead, it just runs right down the slope,” Richards said.
Residents are advised to avoid walking or driving through flooded streets, turn on government alerts, and clear drainage areas. Also, think about grocery supplies, and the safety of your neighbors, and animals.
Original story, published Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 4:15 p.m. PT.
City of Reno Utilities Services explains how to use sandbags
Sandbag filling stations are available ahead of potential flooding from rain expected to hit the Reno, Sparks, and Carson City areas later this week. Snow is expected in higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service.
The City of Reno’s Director of Utility Services, Trina Magoon, explained how sandbags can be used.
“Sandbags can be used to build a little wall to protect your home from runoff or ponding water,” Magoon said, “Typically, they’re stacked in a brick wall formation at locations you want to protect from flooding, so at your doors, or other parts of your yard that you want to protect if you have low-lying areas.”
Residents are also advised to clear debris from storm drains, gutters, and walkways, secure loose objects, and have an emergency plan.
Below are lists of sandbag filling locations in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Susanville and Douglas, Washoe, and Lyon counties. They are open 24 hours and equipped with empty bags and sand, so bring your own shovel.
Sandbag filling locations in Washoe County. The bullet points without addresses are intersections and general areas where sand is stored.
- Lemmon Drive and Pompe Way intersection, Lemmon Valley
- Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 130 Nectar St, Reno, NV 89506
- Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Station, 11525 N Red Rock Rd, Reno, NV 89508
- Golden Valley Park (Hillview entrance), 7490 Hillview Drive Reno, NV 89506
- Washoe County Operations Yard, 3101 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502
- Highland Ranch Parkway, one mile west of Pyramid Hwy, Sparks
- Blue Heron Circle and Warrior Lane, Belli Ranch
- Toll Road and Geiger Grade intersection, Nevada 89521
- Andrew Lane and Paddlewheel Lane intersection, Pleasant Valley 89521
- Pagni Lane and Old Hwy 395 intersection, Pleasant Valley
- Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Station 32, 1240 Eastlake Blvd, New Washoe City, NV 89704
- Eastlake Blvd and Gander Lane intersection, New Washoe City, NV 89704
- Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Station 30, 3905 US-395 ALT, New Washoe City, NV 89704
More information on sandbags in Washoe County can be found here.
Sandbag filling locations in Reno
- City of Reno Corporation Yard, outside the gate, 1640 E Commercial Row, Reno, NV 89512. This location has limited quantities of pre-filled bags available for people with disabilities from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
- Mira Loma Park, south end of the parking lot, 3000 S McCarran Blvd, Reno, NV 89502
- Jack Tighe Memorial Fields, in the parking lot, 325 VFW Historic Ln, Reno, NV 89509
- Moya Boulevard near the intersection of Red Baron Boulevard, Reno, NV 89506
- Reno Fire Station #5, in the parking lot, 1500 Mayberry Dr, Reno, NV 89509
- Horseman’s Park, in the parking lot, 2800 Pioneer Drive, Reno, NV 89509
- Idlewild Park, in the parking lot of the James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial, 2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno, NV 89509
More information on flooding in Reno can be found here.
Sandbag filling locations in Sparks
- Glendale Park, 399 Coney Island Dr, Sparks, NV 89431
- Silver State International, 2255 Larkin Cir, Sparks, NV 89431
- Shadow Mountain Sports Complex, 3300 Sparks Blvd, Sparks, NV 89434
Sandbag filling locations in Douglas County.
- Sheridan Fire Station, 980 Sheridan Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89460
- Genoa Fire Station, 2298 Main St, Genoa, NV 89411
- Highland Way at the large water tank (Holbrook Highlands area)
- Johnson Lane Fire Station, 1450 Stephanie Way, Minden, NV 89423
- Fish Springs Fire Station, 2249 Fish Springs Rd, Gardnerville, NV 89410
- Ruhenstroth Fire Station, 2008 Pinto Cir, Gardnerville, NV 89410
- Kahal Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade Rd, Stateline, NV 89449
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts from Douglas County here.
More information on flooding in Douglas County can be found here.
Sandbag filling location in Carson City
- Carson City Public Works, to the west in an empty lot, 3505 Butti Way, Carson City, NV 89701
Sandbag filling locations in Lyon County. Bags are located inside the brown bear box.
- Mound House Fire Station, 56 Red Rock Rd, Carson City, NV 89706
- Silver City Community Center, 385 High St., Silver City, NV 89428
- Fire Station #39, 460 Dayton Valley Rd., Dayton, NV 89403
- Dayton Valley Road, just southwest of Sutro Rd
- Fire Station #35, 231 Corral Dr., Dayton, NV 89403
- Stagecoach Community Center, 8105 US-50, Stagecoach, NV 89429
- Silver Springs Juvenile Probation Office, 1075 Pyramid Ave., Silver Springs, NV 89429
- Dressler Park Community Arena, 2715 Hwy 208, Wellington, NV 89444
- Mason Town Hall building - 55 Bridge Street, Mason, NV 89447
Humboldt County residents can receive emergency alerts and other resources from the county’s free mobile app called “Stay Ready Humboldt County,” available for Android and Apple smartphones. The county does not currently have sandbag filling stations.
Sandbag filling location in Susanville
- Susanville Fire Department, 1505 Main St, Susanville, CA 96130
Sandbag filling locations in El Dorado County
- Fire Station 89, 3200 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682. 530-677-6190
- Fire Station 32, 4770 Sand Ridge Rd, Placerville, CA 95667
- Fire Station 85, 1050 Wilson Boulevard, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
- El Dorado County DOT, 3671 Missouri Flat Road, Diamond Springs, CA 95667
- El Dorado County DOT, 4120 Ricci Road, Greenwood, CA 95635
- El Dorado County DOT, 6701 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines, CA 95726
- Meeks Bay Fire, 8041 Highway 89, Meeks Bay, CA 96142
- South Lake Tahoe Fire Station 3, 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Search & Rescue building, 1834 Santa Fe Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150