DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the Sierra Nevada mountain range is experiencing record breaking snow fall for the month of December with consecutive winter storms leaving an excess of 200 inches of snow to date; and

WHEREAS, the record breaking snowfall has closed numerous transportation routes throughout Nevada due to dangerous driving conditions, threatening the lives, property, and safety of residents and visitors of Douglas and Washoe Counties as well as Carson City; and

WHEREAS, after the busy holiday season, many of the recently reopened transportation routes have been overwhelmed by a significant volume of travelers attempting to traverse the Sierra Nevada mountain range, resulting in standstill traffic at the highest elevations; and

WHEREAS, a new winter storm has arrived in the Sierra Nevada mountain range resulting in extremely dangerous driving conditions, on overwhelmed transportation routes, which has presented the possibility of stranded travelers in high elevation weather conditions; and

WHEREAS, the threat to travelers in the Sierra Nevada mountain range is significant due to possible gas shortages, the resulting lack of heat, and the absence of necessary supplies to stay safe during the storm; and

WHEREAS, Nevada Revised Statute 414.070 authorizes the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency when a natural disaster of major proportions has occurred within this state, and the assistance of state agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Steve Sisolak, Governor of the State of Nevada, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, hereby declare a state of emergency and direct all state agencies to supplement the efforts of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state, including without limitation, by redirecting travelers away from affected roads and highways when appropriate. I urge all travelers to avoid transportation routes through the Sierra Nevada mountain range until the storm has passed and the roads are safe.