South Lake Tahoe crews assess the Whole Foods project site on March 21. Photo/LTN

By Lake Tahoe News

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a flood warning for the greater Lake Tahoe area, including South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Stateline and Incline Village. The warning is in effect through late Thursday.

“Right now the city is looking good. We have cut snow berms in known zones and have a team clearing drains and pipe in low areas. We do not anticipate river or creek flooding, just the normal low zones and micro areas,” Jim Marino, South Lake Tahoe deputy public works director, told Lake Tahoe News.

According to the Weather Service, “A warm and wet winter storm with a deep tap of sub-tropical moisture will bring moderate to heavy rain to areas below 7.500 feet tonight and early Thursday. The snow levels fall to 7,000 feet Thursday, but the moderate to heavy rain continues into Thursday evening. Rainfall amounts of up to 3 inches are possible below 7,000 feet around the Tahoe basin.”
 
The added problem is this is rain on snow, which means all that snow is being turned into water. As this happens, creeks, rivers and streams start to rise even faster.

Jason Burke, the storm water manager for the city, and another official were at the Whole Foods site at Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard the morning of March 21. Burke told LTN everything there is holding up, with the bulk of the water being clear – which is a good thing.

City officials will be talking to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials and other regulatory agencies to brief them on how things are working.

Infrastructure was put in last summer/fall in this area to help with what is a known area for flooding. A significant part of the project is environmental improvements.

City crews will also be out clearing drains and pipes to ensure water flows where it should.

In low lying areas and places with poor drainage sump pumps are at work.

Sand bags are available for residents.

The rain is expected to turn to snow later on Wednesday, with a winter storm warning issued from 5pm March 21 through 5am Friday. The Weather Service says 2 to 3 feet could fall above 7,500 feet, with localized amounts up to 4 feet near the Sierra Crest.