Snow level dropping, rain to stop this evening

A state of emergency was declared for Carson City at a special meeting of the board of supervisors around 7 this morning.

Heavy rains that began yesterday continued throughout the night and into today, dropping about 4 inches.

Several area streets are closed, but officials say Carson Street will remain open although lanes will be reduced. The southbound lanes of Highway 395 have been closed at the Mount Rose junction. Traffic has been detoured through Virginia City, though Nevada Highway Patrol Troopers are recommending motorists take Interstate 80 east through Fernley as snow is now falling on Geiger Grade.

Officials are asking residents to stay home and especially to avoid driving on the streets in the areas of the Waterfall fire.

Some residents around Murphy Drive in North Carson City were evacuated, but no shelter has been set up because all of the evacuees had family to stay with, said Liz Teixeira, community relations officer for the city.

Among the streets closed are:

Stewart Street south from Fifth Street.

Saliman Road from Highway 50 to Fifth Street.

King Street is completely closed.

Mountain Street from King to Musser.

Curry Street from King to Rhodes.

Roop Street from Little to Oregon.

Areas to avoid include:

Ash Canyon

Timberline

Lakeview

Combs Canyon

Kings Canyon

Sand bags are available to residents at the city's Corporate Yard on Butti Way. However, due to flooding, the yard can only be accessed of of East Fifth Street.

Westbound Interstate 80 is closed and may remain closed for up to two days due to a mudslide near Floriston, Calif., according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Homeowners behind Western Nevada Community College near Freedom Court and Van Patten Avenue are being evacuated as a precaution, said Sheriff Kenny Furlong. He said an evacuation center has been set up at Mark Twain Elementary School.

The northbound lanes of Highway 395 through Carson City are flooded, but the highway remains open. Winnie Lane and Highway 395 is heavily flooded as is Highway 50 East near Lassen Drive.

Major flooding has been reported in the Gottschalks parking lot and fire crews are attempting to move vehicles.

Landslides have also been report on Foothill Road in Genoa. Walley's Hot Springs has been evacuated and the Legends of Country Inn on Main Street in Genoa has requested help with sandbagging.

Moderate flooding is forecast for the East Fork of the Carson River near Gardnerville, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Minor flooding is forecast for the West Fork of the Carson River near Woodfords, but no flooding is forecast for the main stream of the Carson River.

Heavy rainfall is expected to fall through this afternoon. Rain fall totals so far are at 4 to 7 inches. The total for the storm is expected to reach 6 to 10 inches.

The snow level is at 8,000 feet and significant runoff is expected to continue until the snow level drops to 5,000 feet late tonight. Snow is falling now on State Route 341 to Virginia City.

An elderly woman at a mobile home park on Centerville Lane asked to be evacuated as water began to breach her home.

According to the National Weather Service, 3 to 5 inches of rain have fallen over the Waterfall fire burn areas. Ash Canyon Creek, Kings Canyon Creek and Vicee Creek are out of their banks.

The flashflood warnings have been extended until noon. Mud rock and debris flows are still possible on the slopes west of Carson City.

If you are in a low-lying area of west Carson City, seek higher ground immediately, as of 7:55 a.m. Saturday morning.

Tonight's New Year's Eve fireworks show in downtown Reno has been cancelled. Areas along the Truckee River are flooding and bridges crossing the river have been closed due to high water.

The Rainbow Bend area of northern Storey County is being evacuated due to flooding along the Truckee River. The Mustang exit of Interstate 80 east of Reno has been closed because the Mustang Bridge has been washed out.

The Mount Rose Highway is closed from 11 mile east of Highway 28. Highways 88 and 89 and also closed due to mud slides.

In Douglas County, road closures include:

Topsey Lane to Lyla Street.

State Route 206 from Genoa Lakes Road to Muller Lane.

Genoa Lane from Highway 395 to Foothill Road.

Muller Lane from Highway 395 to Foothill Road.

Mottsville Lane from State Route 88 to Foothill Road.

Centerville Lane from State Route 88 to Foothill Road.

Ruenstroth Area " all dips are full and should not be traveled.

Power Dam Road is closed from Highway 395 to Dresslerville.

Waterloo Lane through Lampe Park is closed.

Areas of Aspen Park mobile home park have been evacuated.

Residents are urged to stay home.

Emergencies should be reported to 911.

Non-emergencies should be reported to 782-9935.

For information, call 782-9990.

Look here for regular updates.