Heavy rain expected prompts Flood Watch for Carson City, western Nevada and Lake Tahoe | Carson City Nevada News

After a quick storm on Thursday, another stream of warm weather will push into the Carson City region and western Nevada starting early Friday, bringing heavy amounts of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for the region.

High snow levels and prolonged heavy precipitation will allow for significant increases in both the main stream and smaller rivers/streams, forecasters said. This could result in minor to moderate flooding in some rivers and streams in the area. Passages at low water may flood. A flood watch is in effect Friday morning through Saturday evening.

There is also a Winter Storm Watch in effect for the Lake Tahoe basin from Thursday night through January 1, with heavy snow and up to 3 feet possible above 7,000 feet and 5 feet above 8,000 feet.

Rockfall will be possible, especially on steep terrain and where soils are already saturated. Some urban flooding is likely, especially in low-lying areas or poor drainage, NWS forecasters said.

River and urban flooding from the excessive rainfall is possible for the greater Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas, the greater Lake Tahoe basin, northern Washoe County, as well as Lassen, Eastern Plumas and Eastern Sierra counties and Mono in California.

Mainstream flooding is most likely to occur on the East Fork of the Carson near Gardnerville and on the Susan River at Susanville. Other streams draining significant terrain below 6,500 meters will also be prone to flooding. Offshore flows could result in road closures, causing travel impacts, weather service forecasters said.

High snow levels along with prolonged heavy rainfall on recently saturated ground and a snowpack could increase flood levels. Forecasters say total stormwater accumulations of 4 to 7 inches along the Sierra Ridge, 3 to 5 inches in the Tahoe Basin and 1.5 to 3.5 inches elsewhere in the flood watch, including Reno area, Carson City Minden are possible.

The weather service advises people to monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flash flood warnings. Those living in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action if flooding occurs.

Sandbag locations
Carson City: The Sand Bagging Station is stocked and ready at the Carson City Corporate Yard, 3505 Butti Way, north of the main Public Works Building. Bags and sand provided. People will need to bring their own shovel and fill your bags.

Douglas County: Go here for a list of sandbag sites in Douglas County.

Lyon County: The county has sandbags in place and is encouraging residents to prepare for future storm events expected to affect the region through late 2022. Wet weather could bring flooding to smaller streams , areas with poor drainage and areas prone to flooding.

Sandbag locations are open year-round to residents. Each sandbag site has sand and bags to fill, the bags are located in the brown bear box at each site. Residents must bring their own shovel as the county does not have one at the fill sites. The locations of the sandbags are:

· Mound House Fire Station – 56 Red Rock Rd., Mound House
· Silver City Community Center – 385 High St., Silver City
· Fire Station #39 – 460 Dayton Valley Rd., Dayton
· Dayton Valley Road, just southwest of Sutro Rd
· Fire Station #35 – 231 Corral Dr., Dayton
· Stagecoach Community Center – 8105 US-50, Stagecoach
· Silver Springs JPO Office – 1075 Pyramid Ave., Silver Springs

For the latest road information see NVroads.com. Check back for updates.