Lake Tahoe area residents urged to prepare for impacts of rain-on-snow Thursday-Sunday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is no sugarcoating this - the National Weather Service has issued not only Winter Storm Watch starting Thursday at 4 p.m. for the Lake Tahoe Basin, but also a Flood Watch.

It is rare when those two types of warnings are issued for the same region at the same time. Both are in effect until 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 11.

All Lake Tahoe agencies are warning the public of the possible issues from a rain-on-snow event.

The City of South Lake Tahoe is telling residents to prepare before the next system enters the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is the potential for heavy rainfall across the region with the incoming atmospheric river which brings with it the threat of flooding and roof collapses. Flooding may occur as a result of rain on existing snow and ice on the ground, and streams and river basins that are already elevated after numerous storms.

Roof collapses are also a potential threat, due to the heavy snow loads and the added weight of moisture from the rain. The snow will absorb this moisture, which will significantly increase the snow load weight and can strain the structure, increasing the chances of structural damage or collapse. Roofs are required to hold a snow load, but the amount of snow this winter is exceptional, pushing the upper limits of what roofs are expected to tolerate.

"We urge residents to take the threat of roof collapses and flooding seriously and prepare now," the City said in a press release. "If you have over three feet of snow, as a general guideline, please consult a professional to remove snow from your roof before this event. If you choose to clear it yourself, know your abilities and use extreme caution. There are several factors that determine the roof’s strength abilities, including the pitch of the roof, construction type, materials used, the amount of snow and water/ice content of the snow."

Signs of a compromised roof include:

Sagging ceiling tiles popping
New cracks in ceiling sheetrock
Cracking or creaking noises
Bowing trusses
Cracks in walls or masonry
Doors and windows that no longer, or have trouble, opening and closing
Severe roof leaks

From Southwest Gas
Residents in areas of heavy snowfall who are clearing off their rooftops in advance of the next round of winter storms are urged by Southwest Gas to use the utmost caution and safety to ensure snow and ice does not fall onto natural gas infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to, meters, piping, outdoor appliances, and external natural gas connections. Regardless of whether the home or business has a snow shelter in place, the weight of excessive snow and ice accumulation, whether natural or manmade, can damage natural gas piping and create a hazardous release of natural gas. Customers are also reminded to keep the area around their natural gas meter and, if applicable, snow shelter, clear of snow and debris. Do not allow snow to block any appliance exhaust vents. Promptly clear snow or ice build-up around meters by using a broom, not a shovel, whenever possible to avoid causing damage.

Customers are reminded about the signs of a potential natural gas leak:
• The smell of sulfur or rotten eggs, even if only momentary
• The sound of hissing or roaring coming from the ground or natural gas infrastructure
• The sight of snow or dirt blowing into the air; standing water that continuously bubbles

If you suspect a natural gas leak, even if you do not have natural gas service, leave the area immediately and call 911 and Southwest Gas at 1-877-860-6020.

Supplies
Alpine County put out an alert, encouraging residents to secure supplies that will allow them to be self-sufficient for multiple days due to the potential of service interruption and road closures. This is good information for all in the Sierra. Supplies include but are not limited to:

Food
Water
Medication
Propane
Fire Wood
Pet Food
Batteries
Fuel
Generators
Charge Cell Phones

Sandbags are available at the following location:
South Lake Tahoe
Fire Station 3
2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Behind the Station
Shovels and bags provided; shovels are limited, so you are encouraged to bring your own.

El Dorado County
Hours of operation 8am - 7pm
Station 89
3200 Country Club Drive,
Cameron Park, CA 95682
Station 85
1050 Wilson Boulevard,
El Dorado Hills, California, 95762
DOT Yard
4120 Ricci Road,
Greenwood, CA 95635
DOT Yard
3671 Missouri Flat Road,
Diamond Springs, CA 95667
DOT Yard
6701 Pony Express Trail,
Pollock Pines, CA 95726
DOT Yard
4770 Sandridge Road,
Placerville, CA 95667

Open Thursday:
SAR Building
1834 Santa Fe Road,
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Flooding

To learn if your home or business is in a flood plain or historic localized flooding area, visit https://arcg.is/0ifSPu0.

The following flood preparedness tips are provided by www.ready.gov/floods#prepare. Visit this site for more information.

Know Your Risk for Floods
Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to know types of flood risk in your area. . The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Preparing for a Flood
Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency
Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

Emergency Alerts
Sign up for the City of South Lake Tahoe’s emergency warning system by texting your zip code to 38276 or visit https://www.cityofslt.us/1017/Sign-Up-for-Notifications.

For El Dorado County emergency alerts, visit https://ready.edso.org/

For Douglas County, visit https://www.douglascountynv.gov/government/departments/community_relations_and_public_information/si...

For Alpine County, visit https://www.alpinecountyca.gov/alertcenter.aspx

For Placer County, visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/2426/Placer-Alert

For Washoe County, visit https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/RegionalAlerts.php

For Carson City, visit https://www.carson.org/government/departments-a-f/fire-department/divisions/emergency-management-div...