Flash flood warning expires, flood advisory issued for portions of Douglas County
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 07/21/2024 - 2:52pm
UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory until 6 p.m. for portions of US-395 including near Topaz Lake and the Tamarack Burn Scar. A Flash Flood Warning expired at 4:30 p.m. for Douglas County.
At 4 p.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Up to 1 inch of rain has fallen. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. Motorists can expect heavy rain with water over roadways.
Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Topaz Lake and Topaz Lake Campground, Holbrook Junction, Junction U.S 395 And CA 89, Coleville, Walker, Monitor Pass and Mount Siegel. Recent burn areas are more prone to flooding, debris flows, and rock falls.
Plugged culverts, rocks and debris on roads, and water and mud over roads are common during moderate to heavy rains. Increased sediment and debris can lead to impacts in areas typically not prone to flooding. Use extra caution when traveling in or below recent burn areas. Impactful flooding and debris flows may be generated by 15 minutes or less of heavy rainfall.
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Heavy rainfall reported Sunday has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Flash Flood Warning for Douglas County.
The warning is until 4:30 p.m. and affects Gardnerville, Gardnerville Ranchos and Junction U.S 395 and State Route 756.
Doppler radar at 2:39 p.m. indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, according to the weather service.
Excessive rainfall could result in debris flow moving through the Numbers Burn Scar. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
Forecasters said the flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Recent burn areas are more prone to flooding, debris flows, and rock falls. Plugged culverts, rocks and debris on roads, and water and mud over roads are common during moderate to heavy rains. Increased sediment and debris can lead to impacts in areas typically not prone to flooding. The weather service advises motorists to use extra caution when traveling in or below recent burn areas. Impactful flooding and debris flows may be generated by 15 minutes or less of heavy rainfall.
