Jan 1, 1997
The floods of January l997 were caused by several factors. First, the Sierra and western Nevada had experienced two above normal precipitation years (1995, 1996). Second, a major winter storm December 21st and 22nd 1996 deposited heavy snow in the Sierra and western Nevada. Four to six feet of snow was common below 7000 feet in the Sierra with up to eight feet at the higher elevations. One to three feet of snow was found across the valleys of western Nevada. The following week into New Year
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5590158). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Greater Reno/carson City/minden Area County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.
View Greater Reno/carson City/minden Area County flood data →