CARSON CITY, NV – January 04, 2023
Today, Governor Joe Lombardo issued updates on the state’s call to action on the major weather incident that has impacted Nevada over the last several days.
Beginning on Friday, December 30, parts of northwestern Nevada have continuously experienced severe winter weather, including flooding, rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and ice. These weather conditions created hazardous driving conditions and caused extensive damage to power lines, which left tens of thousands of Nevadans without power. Response teams worked quickly to clear roadways, repair damage, open warming centers, and restore power to customers.
“As we face more incoming severe winter weather, state agencies are working diligently on their preparation and response efforts. I encourage all Nevadans to prepare for the storm, listen to local weather advisories, and use sound judgment when traveling,” said Governor Joe Lombardo.
Ahead of tonight’s forecasted winter storms, the state is continuing with its preparation and response efforts, which include:
Nevada Division of Emergency Management (DEM)
- Assisting local jurisdictions with direct information from the National Weather Service (NWS) and NV Energy on current and potential impacts.
- Monitoring current and potential future local government resource needs.
- Holding of coordination calls with local government emergency managers to ensure local needs are met. The Division operates our state’s emergency management and homeland security enterprise under the premise of locally executed, state led, and federally supported: all disasters are local with the state assisting our local partners.
- DEM is leading the State Emergency Response Team.
- DEM is in constant communication with emergency management, fire service, healthcare, law enforcement, transportation, and other essential personnel to coordinate protective actions and resources needed.
- Dissemination of information to the media and public on the conditions and resources deployed.
Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
• NDOT conducting storm preparations such as:
- Inspecting and clearing roadways (snowplows, sand trucks, road safety road product and personnel).
- Monitor roadways, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.
- Road closures.
- Avalanche clearing.
Nevada State Police
- Increasing personnel for public safety requests.
- Road closures and public safety calls
Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
- Monitoring the county needs and prepared to support as needed.
- Dissemination of information on available support services Nevada211.org.
NV Energy
- Repairing damages to energy infrastructure.
- Prioritizing warming centers for power restoration.
- NV Energy brought in crews from outside the area, including Las Vegas, Oregon, Northern California, and private contractors to assist in restoration. These crews and support personnel are working around the clock to restore power safely and as quickly as possible to customers in northern Nevada.
- Updating outage map for the state https://www.nvenergy.com/outages/list-view.
Nevada National Guard (NVNG)
- Personnel and heavy equipment are on standby.
Nevadans are encouraged to plan for an extended outage period. If Nevadans are left without power, they are encouraged to:
- Drip faucets to reduce the likelihood of a frozen pipe rupture.
- Keep a supply of flashlights and batteries on hand. Do not use candles as they pose a fire risk.
- Have a supply of non-perishable foods, medicine, baby supplies and pet food, as well as one gallon of water per person per day.
- Do not run a generator inside a home or garage. Use gas-powered generators in well-ventilated areas.
- Consider all downed power lines as live and dangerous. If you see one, stay away and call 911 and NV Energy to report.
- More power outage recommendations are available at: nvenergy.com/outage prep.
- Those on wells without power will also be without water during the power outage and should prepare for water stores to drink and provide basic hygiene.
DEM is monitoring the upcoming storm and remains in close contact with all local and state agencies to monitor the forecast and will work to alert the public with important updates or notifications. Please visit: dem.nv.gov to learn what you should do before, during, and after a winter storm.
###