The river level forecast for the Truckee River Vista Gauge in Sparks has been updated by the National Weather Service River Forecast Center. The Center is now forecasting the Truckee River to hit flood stage at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, and peak at approximately 9:00 p.m. that evening. River and flood monitoring will continue throughout Sunday and into Monday. Flooding at the Vista Gauge is described by the National Weather Service as: 16.0 Feet flooding stage and 19.2 feet peak. Warmer forecast temperatures mean more rain runoff entering the river system at several locations.
To view the extents of the flood event and inundation flood map, please visit Floodawareness.com.
Residents and business owners are asked to prepare for flooding with sand bagging and possible evacuations in key affected areas.
Sandbag locations can be found by visiting the Floodawareness.com website or by contacting the following agencies: City of Reno at 775-334-4636, the City of Sparks at 775-353-5555 and Washoe County 775-328-2180.
High Wind Warnings: High winds are expected starting Saturday evening and will continue through Sunday morning with speeds of 70 mph on the valley floor, 80–90 mph in the foothills and gusts of up to 120 mph in the Sierra. Residents are encouraged to secure items outdoors such as patio furniture, garbage cans and debris.
NV Energy and Power Outages: NV Energy recommends that residents and businesses do not proactively shut down individual power systems or gas meters, unless they have an immediate hazard. If you experience a power outage or encounter a downed power line, stay away, call 911 and report it to the NV Energy Service Center (775) 834-4100 or outside Reno/Carson City call (800) 962-0399.
Public Health Advisory: Washoe County District Health officials advise that residents should avoid contact with floodwaters as floodwaters may be contaminated with raw sewage. Special attention should be used when dealing with floodwater, such as wearing rubber gloves and boots, as well as washing hands frequently.
Residents with domestic water wells should not drink or use water from those wells if the floodwater has covered their well-head. After floodwaters subside, these wells will need to be chlorinated. Well owners should contact the Washoe County Health Department. Water from all other local municipal water systems is not affected and is safe to drink. For safe drinking water information please go to the District Health website: www.washoecounty.us/health.
Regional emergency response officials ask for the public’s help during this flood event. Specifically,
DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ROADS AND HIGHWAYS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. STAY HOME.
WATCH FOR DEBRIS AND EXERCISE EXTRA CAUTION WHILE DRIVING
IF YOU MUST DRIVE, SLOW DOWN. LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO PEOPLE DRIVING TOO FAST ON FLOODED ROADS.
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO EVACUATE, PLEASE TAKE MEDICATION, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND PETS WITH YOU. YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR EVEN DAYS.
IF YOU LIVE IN A LOW-LYING AREA NEAR THE RIVER, STREAM, DITCHES OR CULVERTS, MONITOR THE SITUATION. CREWS ARE OUT CLEARING THESE OF DEBRIS AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, BUT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS TOO.
FOR MORE INFORMATIOIN REGARDING FLOODING AND FLOOD AWARENESS GO TO WWW.FLOODAWARENESS.COM.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911
IF IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIRECT YOUR QUESTION TO 211 (OR (out of state 775-784-8085) FOR INFORMATION
