South Lake Tahoe residents on Jan. 19 deal with more snow and narrow roads. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Lake Tahoe News

Thursday’s weather was nothing compared to what is expected to come. Remember last week? Part II is about to hit.

“I would encourage residents and visitors to do their grocery and supply shopping on Friday and Saturday and to stay off the roadways on Sunday and Monday. Thankfully, it looks like we’ll get a break starting on Tuesday,” Tracy Franklin, spokeswoman for South Lake Tahoe, told Lake Tahoe News.

Officials in the Tahoe-Truckee region are bracing for another deluge. A winter storm warning is in effect through 4am Monday. Between now and then there could be 2 to 4 more feet of snow at lake level and 3-6 feet above 7,000 feet.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Reno expect a break Saturday afternoon before the white stuff starts up again.

The National Weather Service warns roofs and carports could collapse because of snow weight and depth.

Truckee is asking resident to adopt a fire hydrant. This would mean keeping it clear of snow. A minimum 3-foot clearance around the hydrant makes for easier access.

Power outages should be expected and roads dangerous, especially as the snow keeps piling up.

Parts of the West Shore and Truckee just barely had power restored.

“We had people without power for many days with the last storms and we want to ensure if something similar happens, that we can direct them to the appropriate places to get warm and get information,” Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery said in a statement.

Should power be knocked out again for an extended period, North Shore residents can find warming centers open during the day at:

·      Tahoe City Public Utility District, 221 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City

·      North Tahoe Public Utility District, 875 National Ave. in Tahoe Vista

These centers will offer people a place to stay warm, charge communications devices and get the latest information on changing weather conditions and storm related news or advisories.

Snow removal crews throughout the basin are trying to widen streets as fast as possible. Along many side streets the road is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time.

South Lake Tahoe snow removal crews will resume clearing snow from the primary arterial and collector roadways such as Pioneer Trail, Al Tahoe Boulevard, Tahoe Keys Boulevard, Venice Drive, Sierra Boulevard and Ski Run Boulevard

Once these roadways are cleared, city snow removal crews will return to removing snow from the center lane roadways in neighborhoods.

Snowplows have the right of way. Vehicles left unattended in the streets are subject to citation and/or tow. The best policy is to keep vehicles parked off the streets at all times.

The following are suggestions from South Lake Tahoe:

·       If you don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can.

·       Get sand bags. They are available at the city yard at 1160 Rufus Allen Blvd. and fire Station No. 3 at 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

·       Clear storm drains.

·       Prepare for utility outage. Gather flashlights and replace batteries. During the storm, Liberty Utilities crews will work 24/7 to restore power where needed. To report a power outage, call 844.245.6868.

·       Keep roofs cleared. Snow with high water content is heavy. When it’s followed up by torrential rain, existing snow on your roof will become heavier.

·       Expect berms.

·       Stock up on supplies.

·       Don’t drive through water.