Regional officials tour hardest-hit areas for damage assessment

Residents advised to report damage from recent storms/flooding.

Reno, Nevada. Jan. 13, 2017. State officials toured Reno, Sparks and Washoe County on Friday to assess damage from recent storms and flooding to determine if the region is eligible for federal assistance.

Crews from the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Washoe County and the State have worked throughout the week to determine the cost of damages incurred and are still asking the public to report damages.

“We can’t guarantee that by reporting damages residents will receive federal assistance,” Washoe County Manager John Slaughter said. “But by reporting the most accurate assessments, it gives us the best chance to help the community put the pieces back together.”

Residents should call 2-1-1 or toll-free at 1-866-535-5654 for weekend damage assessments, or go online at www.nevada211.org.

All the information collected from regional agencies will be reported to the Nevada Division of Emergency Management. From there, information will be submitted to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX. If assessments meet FEMA thresholds, agencies and the public may be eligible for federal assistance.

See Washoe County Sandbag Locations

Local agencies toured the hardest-hit areas on Friday in the Red Rock/Rancho Haven area, the Sparks industrial area, Hidden Valley, Autumn Hills, Toll Road, Washoe Valley, and other locations. See map of some of the effected areas. While the total damage is expected to be in the millions of dollars, a total estimate will be gathered over the weekend and won’t be known until sometime next week.

While the storms have subsided over the weekend, the National Weather Service in Reno is watching a storm that is expected next week. Because the area received so much moisture, future storms can present flood risk. Because of that, residents are asked to keep flood preparations in place, including sandbags.

See sand locations for Washoe County here and for City of Sparks here. The City of Reno’s weekend sandbag location is at the old Moana Swimming Pool at 240 W. Moana Ln. The Corporation Yard on Commercial Row will be closed over the weekend.

Local agencies are advising residents to be aware of downed trees and power lines in the Incline Village area. The avalanche warning in the Sierra is “Moderate.” The Shelter In Place alert for residents in Crystal Bay and above Mt. Rose Hwy has been lifted.

However, first responders advise residents to use extreme caution if recreating in the back country, and to use caution around lakes, rivers, and creeks where water is very cold and very fast, as hypothermia can set in quickly.

With heavy snow accumulating near propane tanks, look at tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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