Agencies on full alert for intense storms

By Lake Tahoe News

The Nation Weather Service in Reno is forecasting a series of extreme weather events over the next two weeks for the Lake Tahoe Basin, calling it a “once a decade event.”

Snow is expected on Saturday, with the white stuff as low at 2,000 feet. Then it will be heavy rain for a 24-hour period starting Sunday. Rain could be falling at the 9,000-foot level. This will melt the snow, increasing the flooding hazards.

Caltrans warns, “Motorists are required to carry chains even if driving a four- or all-wheel drive vehicle with mud + snow rated tires.” People are being advised not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Expect delays crossing all mountain passes. (Kingsbury reopened Jan. 6.)

Vehicles with cable (ladder) chains may be turned around on Highway 267 at the Northstar and Kings Beach chain control checkpoints because they have proven to be ineffective when attempting to drive over Brockway Summit during heavy snow storms.

Highway 89 over Emerald Bay is closed because of avalanche hazards.

A flood warning has been issued for Douglas County from Jan. 7-9. In the event there is major flooding in the Carson Valley, deliveries of groceries, gasoline and other goods to the South Shore could be restricted. 

A flood watch means flooding is possible. People should be prepared to move to higher ground upon short notice. A flood warning means a flood is occurring or is about to occur.

If needing to evacuate, remember the five P’s: people, prescriptions, paper, personal needs and priceless items.

People should be prepared with a 72-hour kit, which should include extra water, a three-day food supply, a flashlight with batteries, first aid kit, and AM/FM radio.

“This is going to be some of the more significant flooding we’ve seen in the past decade … areas may flood that haven’t seen impacts for several years,” according to the California Highway Patrol.

South Lake Tahoe is keeping its sand bag locations open 24/7. The city provides the sand and bags, but people must fill the bags. Sand is available at the maintenance yard on Rufus Allen Boulevard and at fire station No. 3, 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Sand bags are available at the El Dorado County Department of Transportation Yard  1121 Shakori Drive in Meyers; Zephyr Cove Park; Northstar Fire Department will assist residents with sand bags – call 530.562.1212, ext. 4; Truckee has sand bags at 11473 Donner Pass Road (Fire Station 92) and at Stockrest Springs by the U.S. Forest Service.

A state of emergency has already been declared for the Reno area. The Truckee River is expected to hit flood stage at 1pm Sunday.

The National Guard and U.S. Forest Service are on alert to help Nevada with flood related issues.

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For more information:

·      California and Nevada road information may be accessed from the home page of Lake Tahoe News. Click on the state icons.

·      Douglas Country Emergency Management website. 

·      South Lake Tahoe storm update/emergency information page. 

·      Nevada flood information website.