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8:30 a.m. update: Mt. Rose ski resort closed Wednesday due to the blizzard conditions and high winds in the forecast.
Some, such as Loie Cunningham Mosher and her mother Cari Cunningham took advantage of the weather by skiing down Walker Avenue early Wednesday. Nearby, a man snowboarded down Walker Avenue as well.
ORIGINAL: All schools are closed and travel is discouraged Wednesday as a major winter storm slams the Reno/Tahoe area.
The National Weather Service reported 7.5 inches of snow at its North Reno office as of 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Chains or snow tires are required on all area highways and interstates, and Highway 88 is closed from 3.5 miles east of Silver Lake to Kirkwood due to avalanche control.
Vehicles over 9 feet high are prohibited on Interstate 580 from Old U.S. 395 to Mt. Rose Highway due to high winds.
Winds are expected to reach 45 mph on valley floors and higher in the Sierra.
Another foot of snow is expected to fall in Reno through Thursday morning, with up to two feet in the Minden/Gardnerville area. Mountain passes will see several feet of snow.
Washoe County, Carson City and Douglas County school districts have all cancelled classes for the day. Incline Village schools will also be closed on Thursday.
The Washoe County emergency manager has issued an avalanche warning for residents in Incline Village and the Third Creek area of Crystal Bay.
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According to the Nevada Department of Education, snow days are not considered “days in school” regardless of the digital ability to provide remote instruction. Therefore, snow days can’t be shifted to a 100% distance or remote learning day and will need to be made up at the end of the school year.
All Truckee Meadows Community College online classes and remote operations will continue as scheduled. However, TMCC physical locations including the child care center are closed. All face-to-face classes and on campus operations are cancelled.
University of Nevada, Reno will continue main campus operations and open offices as scheduled.
The Redfield campus, Building A at 18600 Wedge Pkwy., is closed. The University’s HyFlex teaching mode is in place. Students are advised to check WebCampus for updates from instructors regarding classes.
The University is encouraging anyone who doesn’t have to travel to campus to remain remote for class and work.
Additionally, all state government offices, except for public safety and corrections personnel, in the Carson City, Washoe County and Douglas County areas will open two hours later than normal. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered the delay in opening late Tuesday.
Hundreds of homeless people have signed up for beds at the City of Reno’s temporary shelter after it expanded capacity for the winter while also trying to keep people socially distanced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The city’s two shelters include the Community Assistance Center (CAC) on Record Street and the emergency temporary shelter on East Fourth Street.
The men’s temporary shelter on Fourth Street houses approximately 307 men. On Monday night, 302 people signed up for beds.
The CAC Record Street facility houses 88 men with limited capacity for additional clients.
Day areas are open to people trying to stay warm if the beds become full, and there’s room for about 30 to 35 people between the tent and CAC locations to stay warm.
Anyone in the community who needs housing assistance can contact Volunteers of America at 775-329-4141 and the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (RISE) at renoinititative.org for the women’s shelter during very cold months.
Amy Alonzo covers the outdoors, recreation and environment for Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Reach her at [email protected] or (775) 741-8588. Here’s how you can support ongoing coverage and local journalism.
