Hurricane Hilary sending rain to Lake Tahoe and Nevada; Sandbags available

Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 11:08pm
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While Hurricane Hilary is just hitting the coast of Mexico tonight as a Category 1, heavy rain, cooler temperatures, and a risk of flooding are forecast for part of Western Nevada and the Sierra Sunday-Monday.

The hurricane is making landfall along the northwestern portion of Baja California. While this system will rapidly weaken by the time it reaches Nevada, significant amounts of moisture will bring periods of heavy rainfall to the region according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Hurricane Hilary is expected to hit Southern California as a tropical storm, the first one in 84 years.

Rain isn't going to be as heavy in the Lake Tahoe area as it will be in Las Vegas and Palm Springs, but the City of South Lake Tahoe is offering free sandbags for those who are in flood-prone areas.

Sandbags will be available at the following locations:
Fire Station #3
2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Recreation Center
1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Not sure if you are in a flood zone area? Go to the following link to find out: https://bit.ly/47FR8H2.

Staff from our public works department are ready to go and prepared to clear out drain inlets throughout the storm.

The two-day forecast from NWS Reno:

Sunday - A chance of rain before 2 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 pm and 5 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 pm, then rain between 8 pm and 11 pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 pm. Low around 46. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday - Rain before 11 am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 am. High near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%.

Monday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 60%.