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Washoe Updates On Bridges, Roads, Weather And More

Andrea Landis

Monday, 6:20 p.m. update:

The following information has been compiled by KUNR from local press releases:

WEATHER:

The National Weather Service in Reno is predicting snow and increased winds through Wednesday. The flood risk is decreasing. However, officials urge residents to avoid the Truckee River and flooded areas. First responders are still urging the public to stay away from the Truckee River. The water is very cold and very fast and hypothermia can set in quickly.

In addition, there is a continuing risk of falling trees due to high winds and saturated ground. Trees could fall without warning.

WATER ISSUES:

Residents of the River Belle Mobile Home Park in Verdi are asked to boil water for at least 10 minutes until further notice.

Areas serviced by Truckee Meadows Water Authority are not affected by this warning. Water in the Autumn Hills area is safe to drink and the sewage system is fully functional.

SHELTERS:

Sparks High and Wooster High evacuation shelters closed Monday night as the Washoe County School District prepares to return to class Tuesday.

Those shelters are transitioning into a standby state, which means they could reopen if the weather dictates. They are also assessing damages in the region and offering cleaning supplies and food as residents return home. If you would like to donate or are in need of services, please call the Red Cross at 775-856-1000.

If you need food, clothing or furniture, please contact the Salvation Army at 775-688-4555.

EVACUATIONS:

All voluntary evacuations announced by Washoe County have been lifted at this time. People can return home.

If you are returning to your home after evacuating, please look for exposed gas pipes in the yard or a rotten-egg smell. If you suspect a gas leak, call 911 and evacuate your home.

ROADS:

Current road closure information is listed on Washoe County’s website at Washoecounty.us.

Lake Street Bridge, Arlington Street Bridge and Sierra Street Bridge in downtown Reno will likely be closed for several days. Officials are waiting for river waters to recede so the bridges can be inspected for damages before they can reopen. Please plan to take an alternate route.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office continues to warn the public to pay attention to road signs that advise of impassable conditions over the Donner Pass area. Multiple vehicles have been stuck on Henness Pass Road above Dog Valley. This is not a safe I-80 alternate route, despite some GPS directions.

If you see debris in the road, or clogged storm drains, please call 775-337-5800 on Tuesday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

To report flood damage, please call 775-337-5800, beginning 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday.

CITY OF SPARKS:

City of Sparks officials will begin an assessment of the structures in those areas that were inundated by the flood tomorrow morning, or as flood waters recede. Approximately 10 structures in the industrial area will be inspected by Sparks building inspectors.

The Sparks Flood Hotline, 775-353-5555 is closed for the night but will be back in operation at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.  The public can dial Nevada 211 for regional flood information.

Residents are asked to keep sandbags through the upcoming weather events for the next couple of days, and then return the bags to the location that they were obtained from.

For more information from the City of Sparks, please visit cityofsparks.us/floodinfo.

WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOLS:

All WCSD Schools including Incline Village Schools will be on a two-hour delayed start on Tuesday to properly prepare schools for welcoming back students and to ensure that all students and staff arrive safely at school. In addition, there will be no Early Release on Wednesday, January 11 at all WCSD schools. All schools will release at the normally scheduled time on Wednesday.

Monday, 10:00 a.m. update:

Officials say the Truckee River reached its peak, cresting at 19.5 feet at 6:00 a.m. That's nearly a foot lower than its peak during the 2005 flood, and more than four feet lower than the peak in 1997.

Washoe County Manager John Slaughter says that while the Truckee River is expected to lower as the day moves on, the county is still in an active flood event, meaning situations can change quickly and without warning.

Reno Public Radio's Noah Glick chatted with Slaughter this morning to discuss the next steps for the county, today and in the coming week.

Interview highlights:

  • Slaughter says there have been no reported flood-related injuries throughout the region, but some rescues have occurred, including one elderly woman in Red Rocks.
  • The Emergency Operations Center, which houses all the various agencies together to plan and coordinate efforts, was in response to the flood of 1997.
  • Slaughter encourages all residents who need shelter to go to Sparks High School. The other emergency shelter at Wooster High has been at capacity since yesterday.
  • The new Virginia Street bridge was designed to have no structures in the river and was raised from its original position, which Slaughter believes has helped efforts this year.
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