sandbags

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With rain falling on top of Tuesday's snow and ahead of a predicted snowstorm Thursday morning bringing concerns of flooding, the City of South Lake Tahoe is offering free sandbags to residents.

There are two locations to pick up the bags:

• City Public Works Yard, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
• Fire Station 3, 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (In the back off James)

The City supplies the sand and the bags, but residents will need to fill their own bags and transport them back home. Bring a shovel if possible though there are some provided for use at the sandpile.

There is a very warm, wet storm heading to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra and western Nevada, bringing with is gusty winds and significant rains beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday. There is a flood watch in effect from Friday, April 6, 05:00 p.m. until Sunday, April 8 at 5:00 a.m. The main concern is the potential for flooding along creeks, streams, rivers and in urban areas.

Snow levels may rise as high as 11000 feet, keeping the bulk of the precipitation in the form of rain. Rainfall totals between 2 to 4 inches are expected along the

Above average temperatures combined with an above average, and still deep, snowpack in the Sierra has led to the flooding of the Upper Truckee River, Trout Creek and Cold Creek in South Lake Tahoe. The extra water in the river has also led to slight flooding on Colorado Avenue in the Tahoe Keys.

With heavy rain expected over the weekend and into next week, the City of South Lake Tahoe is reminding citizens that sand bags are available, free of charge.

During wet storms, residents may find themselves with flooding issues around their homes and garages.

Sand bags are available year-round at the City’s Streets and Snow Removal Yard located at 1160 Rufus Allen Blvd. Their operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Douglas County Emergency Management is currently working on managing the storms that are currently passing through Douglas County. Areas of concern are the flood prone areas of the Fish Springs, Johnson Lane, Foothill Road and Topaz Ranch Estates.

Current road closures at this time in Douglas County are East Valley Road near Eldon Way in the Johnson Lane area. Precautions should be taken when driving along roads that have steep embankments alongside such as SR207 Kingsbury Grade for falling rocks and debris.

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