Flood — Washoe, Nevada

2017-01-08 · near Sutcliffe, Washoe, Nevada

Event narrative

Highway 446 was destroyed by flood waters in more than 10 places on the southwest side of Pyramid Lake. Some sections were left with nearly 50-foot deep ravines. The highway was not re-opened to the public until early March. Repair cost based on Nevada Department of Transportation estimates from Reno-Gazette Journal article in February.

Wider weather episode

A strong atmospheric river brought heavy rain with widespread flooding on the 8th and 9th. There was a period of snow on the 7th, as well as freezing rain in some lower valleys into the morning of the 8th. Pre-emptive planning caused the closure of public schools and courts in Washoe County on the 9th. Many roads were closed due to flooding, overwhelmed and blocked culverts, and debris flows in the Reno-Sparks, Carson City, and Minden areas on the 8th. A damage estimate from Washoe County Emergency Management for the entire county in January was over $15M, with much of the damage between the 7th and 9th. In Storey County, a damage estimate from flooding and snow in January was $6M for public infrastructure.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.9094, -119.5603)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 693192. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.