Nearly 4,000 people without power in Valley

More than 3,700 people are without electricity this morning thanks to heavy snow over night.

The most recent power outage was out of the Pine Nut substation and is affecting 2,900 NV Energy customers from the Gardnerville Ranchos to Markleeville, according to spokesman Karl Walquist.

"The weather is the top suspect," he said.

About 825 NV Energy customers, including two Gardnerville supermarkets, three schools, are without electicity this morning after a tree struck a power line along Toler Lane.

The power outage was first reported at 3:50 a.m., according to

Crews are working to get the line repaired, but the highway may have to be closed.

Walquist said that initially 2,250 customers were without power.

Switching lines allowed the power company to restore electricity at 6:40 a.m. to all but 825 customers in downtown Gardnerville and Chichester Estates.

Walquist did not have an estimate on when the electricity would be restored.

One lane of Highway 395 may have to be closed for a short time while the power line is repaired.

Students of three Valley schools arrived to darkened campuses on Wednesday morning. Carson Valley Middle School, Gardnerville Elementary and Meneley Elementary schools were among the victims of a power outage caused by Tuesday's late-winter storm.

Students at Carson Valley Middle School got a break from state testing, which was canceled because of the outage.

"Initially, the students were in the gym and multipurpose room," said Superintendent Carol Lark. "Then they were moved to their third-period schedule because it placed them in rooms with windows."

Lark said students at the two elementary schools were likewise placed in classrooms with natural light from windows.

"Our little ones are going to be fine," she said. "The concern is that it's cold, and they need to keep their coats on. But again they were moved to classrooms with windows."

Lark said everyone in the district pulled together to ensure the safety of the children.

"Everyone is doing well in spite of the weather," she said. "The snow is absolutely beautiful."