County, state workers get snow day

The second blast of a Christmas weekend storm was sufficient to close Douglas County offices today.

“Douglas County Manager Patrick Cates in consultation with Sheriff Dan Coverley will continue to monitor the situation and follow safety advice from the Nevada Department of Transportation,” the county said on Sunday night. “The safety of our employees and the public are a top priority.”

State offices are also closed and nonemergency personnel urged to stay home. For road conditions, visit NVroads.com

First responders are working across the county, and the East Fork Fire Protection District Office is fully staffed today with its finance, administrative services division, and executive management working, Chief Tod Carlini said. All of the occupied East Fork stations are fully staffed and have been running calls. "Some response may take a bit longer as apparatus are required to be chained up per transportation guidelines in certain areas."

The regional firefighting academy in Carson City is up and running today with four new recruits from East Fork working toward the final weeks of training with 24r other recruits from six other agencies.

Douglas County deputies reported white-out conditions in Alpine View while dealing with a stranded motorhome.

Highway 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge was exceedingly ice with at least a half-dozen reports of vehicles off the highway.

Chains or snow tires are required on the highway from Topaz Lake to Hallelujah Junction, where both its north and south sides are closed in California. Highways 50 and 88 are closed through the Sierra, as is Interstate 80.

The University of Nevada, Reno, canceled in-person classes for today and told office workers to stay home.

A winter weather advisory is in effect through 7 p.m. today with 3-6 inches of additional snow expected.

Around 11.5 inches of fresh powder was measured a mile north of Genoa, and additional snow is possible through the day.