RENO, Nev. (AP) — Gov. Brian Sandoval is seeking a major U.S. disaster declaration in northern Nevada in search of federal relief from February flooding that swamped roads and communities from California to Utah.
Sandoval signed letters Thursday to President Donald Trump and the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers requesting the disaster declaration across the northern quarter of the state.
He says last month's flooding disproportionately affected Carson City, Douglas and Elko counties and continues to inundate Washoe County's Lemmon Valley with high waters.
Sandoval specifically requested the Army Corps provide materials, personnel or both to help build a 4-mile long barrier to the flood waters in Lemmon Valley north of Reno, where 48 homes currently are affected and 300 more are threatened.
U.S. Sens. Dean Heller and Catherine Cortez Masto made similar requests to Trump and the Army Corps on Thursday.