Sierra storm packing snow, rain, high winds

RENO, Nev. - A major storm packing a triple threat Tuesday dumped more than a foot of new snow in the Sierra Nevada, unleashed heavy rain that triggered flooding and mudslides in the valleys around Reno and Carson City, and pushed potentially damaging winds across much of western Nevada.

The National Weather Service issued avalanche, flooding and high wind warnings up and down the eastern front of the mountains.

A 147-mph wind gust was reported over the ridgetop at Alpine Meadows southwest of Tahoe.

Classes were delayed two hours at some schools around Lake Tahoe, where more than a foot of snow was reported at ski resorts. Mount Rose resort southwest of Reno received 20 inches of new snow over a 24-hour period, the weather service said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious property damage.

Tire chain controls were lifted early Tuesday on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, but a rock slide temporarily closed part of the highway near the California-Nevada line. The Mount Rose Highway between Reno and Tahoe remained closed.

In Carson City, heavy rain flooded streets and caused a mudslide that closed temporarily southbound U.S. Highway 395 at the U.S. 50 on-ramp. A mudslide blocked part of Highway 89 in California north of Reno.

High water also closed a stretch of U.S. Highway 50 east of Carson City near Silver Springs. In Fernley, high winds downed a tree and a power line closing a stretch of State Route 828.

The flood warnings were scheduled to expire in most areas at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, but a flood watch continued until 4 a.m. Wednesday in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Gardnerville, Virginia City and areas along the mountains north of Reno.

"Some urban areas and drainage basins may remain inundated with water," the weather service said.

Nearly 5 inches of rain was reported near Alpine Meadows southwest of Lake Tahoe, and more than 4 inches at California's Plumas Eureka State Park north of Reno. More than 3.5 inches of rain fell at Donner Lake near Truckee, California, 2.5 inches at Verdi on the west edge of Reno and 2 inches at South Lake Tahoe, California.

Wind gusts up to 104 mph were reported atop Peavine Mountain on the northern outskirts of Reno, and 72 mph at Reno Tahoe-International Airport, the weather service said.