County, schools open today

There are some spots across Douglas County that continue to generate concerns, but for the most part a big storm predicted to hit Western Nevada didn’t produce the anticipated issues.

“The weather did not produce the precipitation predicted; however, the Emergency Operations Center was prepared to respond should conditions had worsened,” county spokesman Eric Cachinero said on Tuesday evening.

County offices closed today will reopen on Wednesday for regular operations as the storm moves on more quickly than forecast.

On Monday evening, the forecast portrayed a very different picture, prompting the county to announce closure of offices and recommend that the schools close as well.

“The decision was made to proactively keep residents off the roads, lessen the impacts of hazardous commuting, and to allow for responding public safety and public works crews to concentrate on localized flooding,” Cachinero said.

Douglas County School Superintendent Keith Lewis said he hopes school will be in session on Wednesday, but will wait to see what the morning brings.

Emergency managers monitored the Dangberg Reservoir for overflow in what rain did fall.

Double Spring Flat in the Pine Nut Mountains was basically a big lake and several homes in the area were affected by flooding.

One of the key issues from the weekend’s storms was the potential undermining of Fish Springs Road by Pine Nut Creek. Closure of the road would affect the main access to the community located at the base of the Pine Nuts.

Tahoe-Douglas firefighters responded to a manufactured home on Laurel Lane at Kingsbury that collapsed under a snow load. No one was in the home.

The county restocked sand and sandbags responded to calls from the flood hotline, assisted residents and animals and deployed the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue to help residents isolated by high water.

“Damage assessment teams have been deployed throughout the county and they continue to focus on capturing the extent and severity of damage to property, streamlining the evaluation of the need for additional resources and acquisition of local and state resources,” Cachinero said.

A precautionary evacuation warning for residents below the Dangberg Reservoir is still in effect and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

While there weren’t any takers, Douglas County had the Community & Senior Center open as a shelter until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

For the most up-to-date flooding and road closure information visit: https://bit.ly/3Lb8jao

“It is very important that our residents continue to report damage they see to public infrastructure such as culverts, drains, and roads,” He said.

Damage can be reported by calling 775-783-6038 or by using our damage assessment tool.