A Nevada state road remained closed and impassible Thursday, a day after an earthen dam failed in a rural area of northeastern Nevada and released fast-moving water that covered low-lying roads and forced the rerouting of trains.
The National Weather Service said flash-flood warnings have expired, but flood warnings remain in effect near Montello. Meteorologist Brian Boyd says most of the water that's built up behind the dam during a heavy snow season has now been released.
Nevada State Route 233 remained closed to the Utah border Thursday morning, the day after the dam released waters 2 to 3 feet deep at times.
The floods also forced delays or rerouting for more than a dozen freight and passenger trains on a main rail line that runs through the area, said Union Pacific spokesman Justin E. Jacobs. Crews have begun assessing washed out and damaged areas. It's unknown when service will be restored.
The rural area affected is situated is near the Utah border and about 30 miles northeast of Wells, a key Nevada city along Interstate 80.
The weather service said that a full breach and failure of the 21 Mile Dam sent water spilling out in a "dangerous and life-threatening situation."