Update: Winter storm prompts officials to advise against travel

Kingsbury Grade and Genoa Lane remain closed this morning due to snow and high water, according to nvroads.com.

The state closed Genoa Lane at 2:38 a.m. due to flooding. Reports were that the river had risen to the Genoa Lane bridge on New Year’s Eve.

While water threatened to overtop the Valley route, there was no question that feet of snow overwhelmed Kingsbury from Foothill to Daggett Summit. Road controls are in effect for most of the state routes across Carson Valley.

County and state officials are recommending against travel this New Year’s Eve morning.

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State and county officials are advising motorists to stay off the roads during a winter storm that’s bringing Sierra cement of Western Nevada valleys.

“The snow and slush that has fallen on roadways throughout the day is leading to reduced traction,” State Transportation Spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said at 2 p.m. “As temperatures continue to drop, ice has the potential to form under a light layer of snow on the roadway. Adding to the dangerous driving conditions is the potential increase of impaired drivers following New Year’s Eve celebrations.”

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office echoed the statement. Kingsbury Grade has been closed since 4:20 p.m. and a downed wire closed Genoa Lane. 

"With a winter storm hitting Douglas County, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to stay off of the roads in unnecessary and non-emergency situations," county spokeswoman Melissa Elges said. "DCSO is currently responding to numerous traffic accidents and stranded motorists. The snow and slush that has fallen on roadways throughout the day is leading to reduced traction." 

As temperatures continue to drop, ice is forming under the snow on the roadways. 

Updated road conditions, including winter road closures and incidents, are available by dialing “511,” logging on to nvroads.com, or using the Nevada 511 app before driving. Douglas County also has a webpage designated to County Road Closures and weather-related issues affecting Douglas County.

In Genoa, passersby tried to tow a sedan out of a ditch near the post office on Saturday afternoon.

Snow has been falling in Genoa since around 9:30 a.m. and has caused spin-outs across the Valley.

A semi stuck on Kingsbury was cleared around 2:30 p.m. and the road is now open to vehicles with chains or four-wheel drive and snow tires. Expect similar conditions on routes through the mountains.

Snow tires or chains are being required on Highway 395 from Carson City to Bridgeport. Highway 88 has similar conditions to the state line with chains or four-wheel drive and snow tires required from Mud Lake Road to Mormon Emigrant Trail.

Highway 50 is closed from Meyers to Pollock Pines, but Interstate 80 has reopened.

“NDOT is dedicated to keeping highways safe for drivers by first prioritizing snow removal on major thoroughfares such as interstatesl,” Ragonese said. “Local city and county governments are responsible for snow removal on city streets and county roads. Like many public and private employers, NDOT is experiencing staffing shortages for highway maintenance workers.”