Northern Nevada braces for rain, flooding

Northern Nevada authorities canceled Christmas celebrations and piled up sandbags Friday in anticipation of pounding rain and widespread flooding over the weekend.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the length of the Truckee River as a large, slow-moving storm started to build. Such warnings are seen in Nevada only once or twice in a decade, Reno-based meteorologist Brian Brong said.

The Lake Tahoe-area flooding was expected to be the worst in the California town of Truckee, just over the Nevada border, Brong said. The Northern Nevada cities of Sparks and Reno were expected to see about 1½ inches of rain and minor flooding along the Truckee River.

This storm could drop as much as 8 inches of rain on mountain areas around Lake Tahoe, Brong said.

The state had not closed any major roads Friday afternoon, but authorities were warning Northern Nevada residents to take care on mountain roads and be vigilant for mudslides and falling rocks.

Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Magruder said the heavy rain could pry boulders loose from cliff sides and leave them in the path of motorists.

"When you get a lot of moisture, a rock can get a little loose," he said. "It could be the size of a bowling ball, it could be the size of a Volkswagen. You just want to be careful."

Authorities have postponed weekend Christmas parades and tree lightings in Sparks and Truckee.

In the 100,000-person town of Sparks, the Friday night event was to feature a craft fair, toy drive and Christmas carols.

Michele Anderson, a spokeswoman for the 230,000-person city of Reno, said public servants would be working overtime through the weekend to control what is expected to be the worst flooding in that city since 2005.

In Truckee, Assistant City Manager Alex Terrazas said the town's priority was ensuring the safety of residents and homes.

"Folks that live near the river here should be concerned," he said.