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Evacuation center to open early Sunday in Truckee for potential flood victims

Staff report
Amy Edgett / Sierra SunA rainbow frames the downtown area of Truckee, where the Truckee River flows through, early Saturday afternoon.
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TRUCKEE, Calif. – The American Red Cross and local emergency agencies have set up an evacuation center in the town in preparation of the Truckee River flooding Sunday morning.

The center, located in the Administration Building of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District at 11603 Donner Pass Road, will open at 6 a.m. Sunday and remain open as long as needed, according to a Saturday afternoon press release from the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services. The Red Cross will provide refreshments, and updated storm information will be available at the center.

To get updated recorded information on the center, residents can call 855-212-1866, a toll-free number set up by the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services.



The center will transition to an overnight shelter Sunday night if there is a need. The town of Truckee and the Placer County Office of Emergency Services also are assisting with the evacuation center.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, the Truckee region will be under a flood warning from late Saturday through Monday morning as the next in a series of wet storms readies to hammer the region.



Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible from the Lake Tahoe Basin north to western Lassen County, with amounts up to 8 inches forecast along and west of Highway 89, according to NWS.

Across Western Nevada, rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the foothills west of Highway 395, with amounts of 1 to 2 inches forecast for valley floors in the Reno/Carson City/Minden areas.

Snow levels with this system will start near 8,000 feet and may rise as high as 10,000 feet early Sunday morning; snow levels will lower Sunday, but may not fall below 8,000 feet until late Sunday afternoon.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the Truckee River will reach near 8 feet between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday – flood stage for this portion of the river is 4.5 feet, according to a statement from Placer County.

Truckee residents, particularly in the Foxmead Lane and Riverside Drive neighborhoods – which line the river in downtown Truckee – as well as various riverfront residents along Highway 89 are encouraged to take active precautions and monitor conditions closely, officials said.

According to the Truckee Police Department, self-serve sandbags are available at the Truckee Fire Protection District Station 92, at 11473 Donner Pass Road; and the Truckee Ranger Station Parking lot at 10811 Stockrest Spring.

On the North Shore, through Placer County, sandbags are available at the following locations: North Tahoe Fire Station 52, 288 North Shore Blvd., Kings Beach; Placer County Department of Public Works Corporation Yard, 2501 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City; Old Squaw Valley Fire Station, 1810 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley; Northstar Community Services District Corporation Yard, 50 Trimont Lane off Northstar Boulevard near Northstar California; and North Tahoe Fire Station 53, 5425 West Lake Blvd., Homewood.

Emergency officials are advising residents, visitors and all motorists to not drive into areas where water covers the roadway, and to pay special attention in areas beneath recent burn scars as they may be susceptible to debris flow.

If you are in an area that may be affected by rising water, Placer County encourages you to take the following steps:

• Make an evacuation plan – what to take, where to go, how to stay in touch.

• If you think you might need to evacuate – go. If you delay, you may be trapped.

• No matter what happens, stay out of the water. Debris in flood runoff and high flows makes it extremely dangerous to attempt to retrieve objects or rescue people.

• Stay calm, think clearly and be decisive. When in doubt, call 911 and ask for help.

Storm Information will be updated as information becomes available at the following websites:

http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CEO/Emergency/StormsNov2012.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/nevcooes


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