Northern Nevada officials preparing for major flood

Northern Nevada authorities declared a state of emergency and piled sandbags Friday ahead of an intense storm packing heavy rain, strong winds and fears of widespread weekend flooding in the Reno area.

The Nevada National Guard, state Division of Forestry and other emergency relief agencies mobilized after the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the length of the Truckee River, Washoe County Emergency Manager Aaron Kenneston said.

Kenneston told reporters in Reno that officials were preparing for what could be the worst flooding in many years. He did not expect the emergency to be as severe as the major floods of 1997 and 2005, when the snowpack was heavier and reservoirs were fuller.

Weather Service meteorologist Brian Brong in Reno said warnings like the ones issued Friday were typically seen in Nevada only once or twice in a decade.

Reno spokeswoman Michele Anderson said city employees would work overtime through the weekend to control what was expected to be the worst flooding since 2005.

Sparks and Reno were expected to get about 1½ inches of rain and minor flooding along the Truckee River, while mountain areas around Lake Tahoe were expected to get up to 8 inches of rain. Lake Tahoe-area flooding was expected to be the worst in the California town of Truckee, just over the Nevada border.

More than 40 sandbag locations were set up in Reno, Sparks and Washoe County for residents who bring shovels during the weekend, Kenneston said. Residents were told to have flashlights, food, water, medications, batteries and other supplies on hand in case of power outages. The Red Cross designated Sparks High School as an evacuation shelter, if needed.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid said he asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to "be prepared for the worst."

Gov. Brian Sandoval said he would be monitoring the situation through the weekend. "I want to assure all Nevadans that the state is prepared for the anticipated flooding in the Reno and Sparks areas," he said.

Nevada had not closed any roads by Friday evening, 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 heavy rain could work boulders loose from cliffs 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 postponed weekend Christmas parades and tree lightings in Truckee and Sparks.

Truckee Assistant City Manager Alex Terrazas said the priority was ensuring the safety of residents and homes.

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