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Truckee River Flooding Leaves Northern Nevadans Cleaning Up

The Truckee River surges through downtown Reno, Nev., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after floodwaters crested earlier in the day. Most bridges that had closed were reopened.
AP Photo/Scott Sonner

The Truckee River surges through downtown Reno, Nev., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after floodwaters crested earlier in the day. Most bridges that had closed were reopened.

Many Northern Nevadans spent this week cleaning up after the Truckee River flooded in places.

A heavy Pacific storm system and melting snow pushed the river over its banks on Monday, and Washoe County emergency officials continue to urge caution because of weakened riverbanks and downed trees.

Reno avoided the worst of the flooding, which was felt mostly east of town in Sparks and Lockwood. Most damage was minor.

"The Red Cross is on standby," Frank Rutkowski of the American Red Cross Utah-Nevada region told KNPR's State of Nevada. "We're waiting to see what the storm is going to bring. What happens when the snow melts."

The Red Cross arranged shelter earlier this week for nearly 300 people and is now providing cleaning supplies as flood victims return home.

"We've found there is a lot of flooding, but not the flooding that has effected homes," Rutkowski said. 

Rutkowski said if anyone is interested in helping out the best thing to do is donate money because all the assistance the Red Cross provides is free to people in need. 

He said the group also needs volunteers who are willing to donate their time.

 

Frank Rutkowski, American Red Cross Utah-Nevada Region

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With deep experience in journalism, politics, and the nonprofit sector, news producer Doug Puppel has built strong connections statewide that benefit the Nevada Public Radio audience.