Governor Lombardo declares State of Emergency due to severe weather in Northern Nevada

This evening, Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency due to ongoing severe weather conditions in Churchill County, Douglas County, and Lyon County. Since yesterday, severe weather has brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and infrastructure damage to northern Nevada.

As severe weather conditions continue, further flooding and infrastructure damage are anticipated throughout the region. The declaration of emergency from Governor Lombardo will enable the counties of Churchill, Douglas, and Lyon to receive state and federal assistance as they work to protect citizens and repair damage from the storms.

“Tonight, I am declaring a state of emergency for the severe weather impacting northern Nevada," said Gov. Lombardo. "This state of emergency declaration will enable Churchill, Lyon, and Douglas County to receive state and federal support and resources, which will enable the counties to better protect their residents and mitigate storm damage. I urge all Nevadans to stay safe, travel cautiously, and to follow all local guidance throughout the continuation of this severe weather.”

Should weather conditions worsen in the coming hours, this emergency declaration may be amended to include additional affected counties and tribal nations.

The declaration is as follows:

Proclamation Declaring a Severe Weather Emergency

WHEREAS, Nevada Revised Statute 414.070 authorizes the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency when a natural disaster of major proportions has occurred within the State, the assistance of state and federal agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, and the invocation of the Governor's emergency powers is necessary to protect the health and safety of persons in the State; and

WHEREAS, a series of heavy, continuous winter storms and unsettled weather conditions have compounded to create a historically large snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and similarly aggressive storms are anticipated to continue impacting parts of the State of Nevada in the coming weeks; and

WHEREAS, a severe weather system beginning on March 9, 2023, is affecting several counties in northern Nevada including the counties of Churchill, Douglas and Lyon, with heavy rainfall and the potential of significant flooding throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, the severe weather system has damaged Nevada roadways and threatens to damage residential and commercial structures as well as public infrastructure in the affected areas, as well as the health, safety, and welfare of persons in this state; and

WHEREAS, as of March 10, 2023, the counties of Churchill, Douglas, Lyon have declared a state of emergency due to the effects and ongoing effects of the severe weather system; and

WHEREAS, the counties of Churchill, Douglas, Lyon are experiencing a significant economic impact in providing emergency services in preparation for the severe weather system and anticipate continued economic obligations resulting in financial hardship for short-term response and long-term recovery of the affected areas; and

WHEREAS, the counties of Churchill, Douglas, and Lyon require the assistance of state government to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state; and

WHEREAS, other affected counties and the various tribal nations will continued to be monitored and may be added to this declaration should conditions worsen and as information becomes available.

Now therefore, I, Joe Lombardo, Governor of the State of Nevada, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, hereby declare a state of emergency due to the severe weather system affecting northern Nevada and the consequent danger to life and damage to property, and direct all state agencies in conjunction with federal partners to supplement the efforts of the counties of Churchill, Douglas, and Lyon to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state.

Unless renewed, this limited declaration shall expire in fifteen (15) days.