Heavy rain, winds to arrive late Sunday

The National Weather Service predicts heavy precipitation and gusty winds to move into the region, bringing with it the possibility of flash flooding and flooding on rivers and streams.

City employees are preparing for the storm by patrolling the city, said Andy Burnham, development services director.

"We've cleaned a lot of the storm drains so we're in decent shape there," Burnham said. "Given the hillsides already have been inundated, the whole idea is to be aware and to watch."

Officials from Carson City met Friday morning with Washoe and Douglas counties, and the state because, "nobody wants to get caught with their pants down," he said.

If necessary, prison crews and contractors will be called in to assist with any efforts, according to the city.

Sandbags will be sitting in various locations around the city, and residents are urged to take as many as they need.

The region was hammered with rain during the New Year's weekend, and the resulting damage was so severe that President George Bush signed a disaster declaration. This allowed Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe counties, the Pyramid Paiute Tribe in Washoe and the Washoe Tribe in Douglas to obtain various forms of federal assistance to pay for widespread cleanup and repair needs.

Storm-related costs for the city have been estimated to be $3 million. And cost to repair the damage to the Carson River, from Lake Lahontan to the California state line, likely will reach $5 million.

Carson residents can receive weather-related information by watching cable access channels 10 and 26 or on the city's Web site: www.carson-city.nv.us.

n Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

Information

Sandbags can be picked up at the following locations:

•Brush Drive right-of-way, 1734 Brush Drive

•Kings Canyon Road right-of-way, 3601 Kings Canyon Road

•South Ormsby Boulevard right-of-way, 502 S. Ormsby Blvd.

•North Ormsby Boulevard right-of-way, 1615 W. Winnie Lane

•Butti Way at City Corporate Yard, 3303 Butti Way

You can help

To report flood-related problems, call 882-3451 or 887-2343. If there's an emergency, call 911.