Flash flood warning issued for Tamarack fire burn scar areas of Douglas, Alpine and northern Mono counties
UPDATE 3:56PM: The Flash Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service has been extended to 5:45 p.m.
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The National Weather Service in Reno issued a Flash Flood Warning Thursday afternoon for the Tamarack burn scar areas in Douglas County in Nevada and Alpine and Northern Mono County in California.
The warning is until 3:45 p.m. At 1:04 p.m. Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Tamarack Burn Scar. The expected rainfall rate is 0.15 inches in 15 minutes. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, according to the weather service.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow moving through the Tamarack. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Alpine Village, Grover Hot Springs, Mesa Vista, Alpine County Airport, Indian Creek Reservoir, Indian Creek Campground, Turtle Rock Campground, Markleeville and Holbrook Junction as well as CA Highway 89 between Woodfords and CA Highway 4, and US Highway 395 north of Topaz to Double Spring.
The weather service warns this a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches in the Tamarack Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety.
"Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicle," according to the weather service.