Sandbag locations in South Lake Tahoe, Meyers and Douglas County

Wet is the word for the weekend, and it could be very wet. A weak system will be brushing the area tomorrow, followed by a strong atmospheric river late Saturday night through Monday. This has the potential for strong winds, copious amounts of rainfall, and heavy upper elevation mountain snow. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno said avoiding travel in the mountains during this time would be a good idea.

El Dorado County, Douglas County and the City of South Lake Tahoe are all urging residents to be prepared, especially in areas near the Caldor and Tamarack burn scars.

A Flood Watch has been issued by NWS Reno for late Saturday, October 23 through the morning on Monday, October 25. The affected areas include Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area, Stateline, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Gardnerville, South Lake Tahoe, Markleeville, and Verdi.

Flood Watch Concerns include:
• Heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river will move into the region Saturday night and may continue into Monday morning. High snow levels will lower to near 6000 feet sometime Monday.
• Debris flows, ash flows, rock falls, and tree falls are possible, especially on or near burn scars and steep terrain. This includes the Tamarack, Caldor, and Numbers burn scars.
• Rises on small creeks and streams are expected, equipment in and near river and creek channels should be moved to safety. Rock falls in canyons and ponding of water on roads will create hazardous driving conditions, especially along Interstate 80 between Truckee and Reno.

Localized urban flooding is also possible.

The following locations will have self-fill sandbag stations. While there were shovels at the South Lake Tahoe locations, they were taken by members of the public during the day on Friday. Shovels were replaced but it is better to "bring your own" shovels. They operated 24/7 during the storm.

South Lake Tahoe and Meyers:

The area between the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and the Senior Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Station #3, 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

In Meyers, by the Search & Rescue building through Tuesday, 1834 Santa Fe Avenue, Meyers.

Douglas County:

(Please Look for East Fork Fire Sand Depository Box, signage will be visible)
• Johnson Lane Fire Station, 1450 Stephanie Way, Minden
• Fish Springs Fire Station, 2249 Fish Springs Rd., Gardnerville
• Ruhenstroth Fire Station, 2008 Pinto Circle, Gardnerville
• Sheridan Fire Station, 980 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville
• Turn right onto Leviathan Mine Rd, (On the right-hand side of the road near the water tower, inside fenced area)
• Holbrook Highlands, off of Highland Way- (A quarter mile down the road, turn right onto Alba Vista at the end of the cul-de-sac.)

The City of South Lake Tahoe will be updating the public via three different methods: Twitter www.twitter.com/cityofslt or @cityofslt, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityofSLT or @CityofSLT, and Website www.cityofslt.us. They also alert via text those using their Civic Ready emergency system (sign up here).

El Dorado County will also be alerting residents via Code Red (more info here).