Photo by belinda grantScotty White 13yrs of Indian Hills joy rides his bike through large bodies of water in Indian hills on Vista Grande Blvd. Two fires were caused by lightning and both were put out by rain. The fire fighters said it was raining cats and dogs.
Minutes before the bell rang announcing the day's final recess, Fremont Elementary School principal Jan Sullivan decided to keep students indoors.
The decision saved kids from the downpour that hit Carson City around 2 p.m. Thursday, prompting flash-flood warnings and severe storm alerts.
Hail was reported in parts of Carson City and the National Weather Service warned residents to seek shelter and advised that cars be put in garages.
"There's been a lot of heavy rains and strong winds," said hydrologist Gary Barbato. "There were a lot of reports of a half-inch to an inch of rain within 15 minutes to a half hour."
Flooding was reported in the Johnson Lane area of north Douglas County.
A tornado warning was briefly issued near Sierraville, Calif., but the storm didn't materialize.
More precipitation is expected today with a 60 percent chance of rain. The forecast high is 92 degrees.
Rain is a possibility throughout the weekend and through Monday as well, with partly sunny skies and highs around 89 and 90 degrees.
Although indoor recess can be an inconvenience, Sullivan said she welcomed the cooler temperatures.
"The heat has been so much," she said. "We're encouraging the children to drink lots of water. Many of them are finding the shade to do quiet activities."
Aides on recess duty also carry around squirt bottles to mist students of the city's only year-round school.
Record high temperatures are also pushing demand for electricity in the area.
For the third time in two weeks, Sierra Pacific Power Co. reached a record peak 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Lightning during Thursday's storm struck a pole in Indian Hills causing power outages to about 200 customers in the area for more than an hour.
One outage was reported in Minden.