RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) – Flooding could be of historic proportions along the Truckee River. “More serious than 05-06,” says Gary Barbato of the National Weather Service in Reno. That flood left parts of Reno and Sparks underwater.
Barbato says there is potential for the Truckee River to grow 13 feet in eight hours Sunday. He says, “[the river could] shoot up from 9-feet at 6:00am to 22-feet by 3pm.” The areas of concern include the entire Truckee River.
Washoe County Emergency Manager Aaron Kenneston said the county is getting ready, "pre-positioning sand and sand bags and heavy equipment, moving school buses.. making sure we are prepared should we have any type of flooding.”
Barbato says even though it is still a few days out and things could change, people should prepare. “Based on what happened in 86, 97, and 05... even if it doesn't come to pass people in rather be safe than sorry,” he said.
Starting Friday the City of Reno will be making sandbags and sand be available for the public at three locations between 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday at:
-Idlewild Park (located at 1900 Idlewild Drive)
-First Street at Riverside Drive
-The parking lot of the Governor’s Bowl Park (located at the end of Line Drive which is off of East Fourth Street).
Residents will need to bring a shovel to fill the sandbags.
The City of Sparks has 11 sandbag stations:
-Gateway Park
-Glendale Ave / 21st St. (Baldini's Parking Lot)
-Rock Park
-Industrial Way / Freeport Blvd.
-Nugget Ave / Pyramid Way (Nugget Parking Lot)
-Linday Way / Coney Island Dr. (South of Coney)
-Stanford Way (Between Cal Ln. & Greg St.)
-Kresge Ln. (Near Former ASPCA)
-Cottonwood Park
-Deming Way (Just South of Kleppe Ln.)
-Solomon Cir. / Vista Blvd. (SE Lot)
Residents should consider the following:
• Make a family disaster plan and emergency preparedness kit, allowing for self-sufficiency for up to three days.
• Limit outings to ones that are necessary. Non-essential errands or travels should be scheduled once the weather is better. Less traffic on the roadways makes it safer for everyone.
• Decrease driving speeds, keep a safe following distance, allow for extra travel time, and be cautious of roadways with snow drifts, ice, or standing water.
• Only use 911 for emergencies.
• Never drive or walk through areas with accumulated water. You often can’t tell how deep it is until it is too late.
• Avoid any moving water. Swift moving water is very dangerous, even when shallow.
• During a power outage when traffic control signals are out, treat the intersection as a four way stop and proceed with caution.
• Have an emergency “GO” kit with important items and warm clothing should you have to evacuate.
• Listen to radio and television news for up-to-date information.
