High winds kick up around Carson City and the Sierra as storm approaches

UPDATE 5PM: From Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Pat Brooks: According to NV Energy’s website, they will be working to restore power to the area as quickly as possible. Estimation of when an effected area will be restored is unknown at this time. Updates can be reviewed at NvEnergy.com.

Road crews are working to remove trees and debris from the road. Caution should be used when driving as traffic signals are completely out or flashing red. Please do not drive around road blocks for your safety and the safety of the crews working to clear the roads from debris and down and low hanging power lines.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue with assistance with Eldorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue have deployed 31 members to assist fire and patrol units with road closures and reports of down lines and trees. Extremely hazardous conditions for everyone working these events.
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UPDATE 3:21PM: Mason Valley Fire Protection District is still working a multiple vehicle accident on Highway 95A east of Yerington. So far they report 8-10 vehicles have been involved with 9 patients having been transported to SLMC. CLCFPD is providing an ALS ambulance for a critical patient transfer to a Reno area hospital. There are still reports of downed power lines and power outages throughout Lyon County.
Lyon County Public Works crews and private water trucks are diligently working to reduce dust hazards. Jeff Page, Lyon County Manager.
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UPDATE 2:08PM: From Lyon County Manager Jeff Page: Lyon County is experiencing a major wind event. The CLCFPD, MVFPD and NLCFPD have staffed their stations with all available volunteers. MVFPD is working multiple car crashes on Highway 95A east of Yerington and they have requested NDOT to close 95A east until further notice.
There are reports of multiple power outages, downed lines and downed signs throughout the county. Lyon County OEM is monitoring the event until and providing resource support as needed.
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UPDATE 1:50PM: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the East Fork Fire District are responding to numerous call of down power lines and flying debris from this current wind event.
Currently Genoa Lane, Muller Lane and Tolar Road are closed due to fires ignited by down power lines, said Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Pat Brooks. Please use caution driving for flying debris and down lines.
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UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: Stewart at Carson Street is now open to traffic, after being closed due to a downed power line. Lines are also reportedly down near Arrowhead and Goni. Traffic was being diverted to Emerson.
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Here's the latest from the National Weather Service in Reno as of 10:43 a.m. Friday: Winds this morning have been very strong as expected. Several reports have come in of damage to fences, power lines and downed trees. According to CarsonWeather.com, the high wind in Carson City thus far was 51 mph that happened at 6:36 a.m.
Mountain wind sensors in the Sierra have reached up to around 135 mph already this morning. Go here for the latest storm information on the High Wind Warning.

Locally reports have come in around Carson City of some down tree branches and fences earlier this morning. No injuries have been reported. A line down was reported at Stewart and Carson Street at 11:16 a.m. The Carson City Fire Department was responding. NV Energy has been called.
In the Lake Tahoe Basin, several trees have been downed due to high winds that have caused the closure of Highway 89 at Fallen Leaf briefly this morning. The Highway was cleared out and is currently open. Winds also sparked a small wildfire near Truckee.

Winds will increase again into the afternoon hours.

The latest High resolution models show an intensification of downslope wind as the jet stream noses into the Northern Sierra. Expect to see widespread wind gusts of 60-70 mph in the lee off the Sierra with wind prone areas hitting near 90 mph.

Precipitation will move into the Tahoe Basin this afternoon and evening. As the precipitation pushes in, winds should begin to subside although still remain strong overnight.