Flood, wind watches issued for Carson City, Lyon County

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch and high wind watch for Carson City starting Thursday.

“Heavy rain with higher snow levels is expected to bring the risk of flooding, mainly in areas below approximately 6,500 feet,” said the NWS statement at weather.gov. “The main impacts are expected to be on smaller creeks and streams and in areas of poor drainage.”

The flood watch begins at 4 p.m. Thursday – morning snow is forecast to turn to afternoon rain – and continues until 11 a.m. Sunday. The watch covers portions of western Nevada below approximately 6,500 feet, including the greater Carson City-Minden-Reno area, southern Lyon County, greater Lake Tahoe area and Mineral County.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” according to the NWS. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas due to deep snow confining flow and limiting drainage. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with snow and debris.

“A warm atmospheric river will lead to rapid runoff in areas of shallow snowpack and wet ground. Continued precipitation on areas with deeper snowpack may begin to pass rain through the snowpack during the prolonged precipitation event. This will lead substantial hazard of minor flooding with significant rises on main stem rivers. Flooding on mainstem rivers is not forecast at this time but rises to monitor stage or even minor flooding can`t be ruled out.”

The high wind watch begins at 10 p.m. Thursday and continues until 7 p.m. Friday. South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph possible. The watch covers the greater Carson City-Minden-Reno area, southern Lyon County and Mineral County.

“Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation will lessen winds at times. The strongest and most widespread wind impacts are expected late morning to afternoon Friday.”

THE FORECAST

Wednesday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 17. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A chance of snow between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of rain after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday night: Rain. Low around 41. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain. High near 49. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday night: Rain likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Snow level 7,200 feet lowering to 6,100 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after 11 a.m. Snow level 6,100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday night: A chance of rain. Snow level 6,400 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Snow level 6,500 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

Sunday night: A chance of rain. Snow level 6,600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Monday: A chance of rain. Snow level 6,300 feet rising to 7,300 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

Monday night: A chance of rain. Snow level 7,300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Rain likely. Snow level 6,900 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Lyon County Emergency Information

YERINGTON – Lyon County is encouraging residents to clear leaves or debris from storm gutters and drainages in front of or on their properties to ensure water can flow freely.

Lyon County’s sandbag locations are open year-round to residents. Each sandbag location has both sand and bags to fill; however, residents must bring their own shovel.

Public sandbag locations:

• Mound House Fire Station – 56 Red Rock Rd., Mound House, NV 89706

• Silver City Community Center - 385 High St., Silver City, NV 89428

• Fire Station #39 - 460 Dayton Valley Rd., Dayton, NV 89403

• Fire Station #35 - 231 Corral Dr., Dayton, NV 89403

• Stagecoach Community Center - 8105 US-50, Stagecoach, NV 89429

• Silver Springs JPO Office - 1075 Pyramid Ave., Silver Springs, NV 89429

• Mason Town Hall building - 55 Bridge Street, Mason, NV 89447

• Dressler Park Community Arena - 2715 Hwy 208, Wellington, NV 89444

• Lyon County Roads Yard – 18 Hwy 85A North, Yerington, NV 89447

• Out of Town Park, Farm District Road and Highway 95A, Fernley, NV 89408 (East end of Rodeo Grounds)

When sandbagging your property, ensure that any outbuildings, pump houses, or corrals are protected in the same way as your home.

Lyon County is activating a call center beginning Friday, March 10 to respond to needs across the county. For flooding and weather-related concerns and assistance, citizens are encouraged to call 775-461-3757 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In an emergency, call 911.

Lyon County’s Emergency Notification System

Register to be notified by Lyon County in the event of emergency situations or critical events, such as flooding occurring in or near your neighborhood.

General tips for citizens to prepare for upcoming storms:

• Purchase in advance all necessary groceries, supplies, and medicines for all members of your household including pets.

• If your power goes out, do not run a generator inside a home or garage. Use gas-powered generators in well-ventilated areas. 

• Consider all downed power lines as live and dangerous. If you see one, stay away and call 911 and NV Energy to report. 

• The combination of heavy snow and rain can add stress to roofs. Take a few moments to safely remove excess snow from your roof using a roof rake, or hire a professional, if needed.

For information, visit https://www.lyon-county.org/.