1997 Nevada floods

Natural disaster in Nevada, United States May 2025 February 2025 1997 Nevada floods January 1–3, 1997 Western and northern Nevada 2 $450 million Severe floods occurred in western and northern Nevada from January 1–3, 1997, resulting in two deaths and causing $450 million in building damage. Washoe County, which includes the Reno-Sparks area, saw the worst of the damage. Flooding also impacted five other counties, as well as Carson City. The floods occurred along the Carson River, Truckee River, and Walker River. Unseasonably warm rain melted excessive snowpack into the rivers, resulting in the floods. It was the most costly and damaging flood event to occur in 150 years of record-keeping for the three rivers. Flooding overview The 1997 floods occurred along three rivers in western and northern Nevada.Rigby Jim G. The 1997 New Year's Floods in Western Nevada 1998 NV Bureau of Mines and Geology 978-1-888035-03-2 https://books.google.com/books?id=fWYf2b65ODEC April 6, 2023January 1997 Flooding in Northern Nevada—Was This a '100-Year Flood'? https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/0077/report.pdf United States Geological Survey April 6, 2023 May 1997Burrows Kim 25 year anniversary of historic northern Nevada flooding https://mynews4.com/news/local/25-year-anniversary-of-historic-northern-nevada-flooding April 4, 2023 KRNV December 30, 2021 The Carson River runs through the state capital of Carson City as well as four counties: Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey. The Walker River runs through Douglas, Lyon, and Mineral County. The Truckee River flows through Washoe County, including the Reno-Sparks area.The Flood of 1997 Final Report http://water.nv.gov/home/pdfs/the%20flood%20of%201997%20final%20report.pdf Nevada Division of Water Planning April 6, 2023 May 1997 The floods were caused by unseasonably warm rain which partially melted excessive snowpack in the three rivers.Weather quirks combine to make for historic flood https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154491834/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 5, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionFlood of January 1997 in the Truckee River Basin, Western Nevada https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/0123/report.pdf United States Geological Survey April 6, 2023 August 1997 A trio of heavy snowstorms from the Gulf of Alaska had hit the Sierra Nevada region during the last three weeks of 1996, followed by three subtropical storms originating in the Pacific Ocean, the third of which was a Pineapple Express. Aside from Nevada, the same storm system also caused flooding in several other states, including California,Finan Mark 1997 New Year's flood devastated Northern California https://www.kcra.com/article/1997-new-years-flood-devastated-northern-california/8556065 April 5, 2023 KCRA January 3, 2017 Idaho, Oregon and Washington.Evacuations from Western floods top 100,000 http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/9701/04/western.storms/index.html CNN January 4, 1997 https://web.archive.org/web/20000929105406/http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/9701/04/western.storms/index.html September 29, 2000 In Nevada, the floods began on January 1, 1997, and continued over the next two days as water made its way through several counties. In Sparks, the Truckee River reached flood stage at 2:00 a.m. on January 1, followed by Reno at 10:30 a.m. The river's flood stage was 12 feet, and it crested at 14.7 feet on January 2, breaking the last record of 13.8 in 1950.Floods in Reno https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Floods+in+Reno-a057088912 April 4, 2023 Sierra Pacific Power Company 1997 The river experienced widespread flooding throughout its 90-mile course between Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake.Truckee River flooding Reno https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477273574/ Elko Daily Free Press January 2, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription The river level rose 7 feet, eventually receding from flood stage on January 3.Vanzi Max Hall Carla Reno Staggers Back as Flood Waters Recede https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-04-mn-15395-story.html April 4, 2023 Los Angeles Times January 4, 1997 The Truckee River had an early warning system – consisting of gauges – that performed inadequately in predicting the flood severity.Flood alarms to be revamped https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154468923/ Reno Gazette-Journal February 17, 1998 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription The United States Geological Survey (USGS) had approximately 100 gauging stations covering the three rivers, and 35 of these stations were damaged by the floodwaters, with 6 being completely destroyed. The floods covered approximately 63800 acre on. Although initially considered a 100-year flood event, a study by the USGS found it to be less than a 50-year event. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) considered it a 60-year event, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) believed it to be a 75-year event.Hold on: This year's disaster wasn't the Big One https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154312663/ Reno Gazette-Journal September 20, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionCorps seeking $101 million in control efforts https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154312663/ Reno Gazette-Journal September 20, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionScientists trying to put Reno flood in historic perspective https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477333295/ Elko Daily Free Press April 17, 1998 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Damage and effects The 1997 floods were the worst to hit Carson City and Reno since 1955,Carson Valley flooding worst in decades https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jan/03/carson-valley-flooding-worst-in-decades/ April 4, 2023 Las Vegas Sun January 3, 1997River swamps downtown https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154491557/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 2, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription and were the most costly and damaging to occur in 150 years of record-keeping for the three rivers. However, the flood severity along the Truckee River was alleviated by three dams, which were built following floods in the 1950s. The floods resulted in numerous business closures, including several casinos in Reno,Whaley Sean Raining Havoc https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Raining+Havoc%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB Las Vegas Review-Journal January 3, 1997 April 5, 2023 subscription where some streets saw up to four feet of water. State government buildings in Carson City and Reno were flooded and forced to close as well.Washoe family courts hard-hit https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154492235/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 6, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Reno–Tahoe International Airport closed on January 2,Dougan Michael Reno hit by biggest flood in 40 years https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Reno-hit-by-biggest-flood-in-40-years-3143685.php April 4, 2023 SFGATE January 2, 1997Truckee rages through downtown Reno, scores of businesses flooded https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jan/03/truckee-rages-through-downtown-reno-scores-of-busi/ April 4, 2023 Las Vegas Sun January 3, 1997 stranding 1,000 tourists before reopening the next day. The airport's only east–west runway eventually required $33 million in repair work. Floodwaters tore out bridges along the Truckee River and also swept large trees downriver.Months later, bridge replacement begins https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154312663/ Reno Gazette-Journal September 20, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Mudslides also occurred, resulting in the closure of Highway 50 at Spooner Summit,Hoffman Ryan Lake Tahoe locals remember the flood of 1997 https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/the-great-flood-of-1997/ April 4, 2023 Tahoe Daily Tribune January 6, 2017 as well as Interstate 80 near the California-Nevada border.Feds hand Nevada $5 million in relief https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477277819/ Elko Daily Free Press January 11, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription In Carson City, officials had prepared with the use of 4,000 sandbags for flood control, although this proved to be inadequate. It was later estimated that 100,000 sandbags would have been needed.Wet snow, warm rain mean disaster https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2001/dec/20/wet-snow-warm-rain-mean-disaster/ April 4, 2023 Record-Courier December 20, 2001 Most damage in Carson City came from floodwaters rushing downstream from several canyons, eventually flooding streets.Whaley Sean Vogel Ed Capital residents battle deluge https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Capital%20residents%20battle%20deluge%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVRB Las Vegas Review-Journal January 3, 1997 April 5, 2023 subscription The Carson River also runs through Dayton, where flooding affected ranches and mobile homes, as well as Dayton State Park.Flood Chronology of the Carson River Basin, California and Nevada http://nevada.usgs.gov/crfld/data_byflood_1.cfm United States Geological Survey https://web.archive.org/web/20080917222245/http://nevada.usgs.gov/crfld/data_byflood_1.cfm September 17, 2008 The Walker River reached flood stage on January 3 as waters reached the small city of Yerington, which experienced flood damage across 500 homes and businesses.Whaley Sean Flooding takes toll https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flooding+takes+toll%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB Las Vegas Review-Journal January 4, 1997 April 5, 2023 subscription The floods resulted in two deaths, including a 59-year-old Gardnerville man who drowned in the Carson River. His remains were found nearly a year later.Search for man missing for almost a year no over https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/nov/13/search-for-man-missing-for-almost-a-year-no-over/ April 4, 2023 Las Vegas Sun November 13, 1997 The other victim was a 53-year-old man from Sun Valley who disappeared along the Truckee River.Second flood death https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477277819/ Elko Daily Free Press Associated Press January 11, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionMan's cause of death unknown https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154475371/ Reno Gazette-Journal July 21, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionAttempts to find flood victims frustrate searchers https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154476578/ Reno Gazette-Journal July 25, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Skeletal remains, possibly belonging to the latter victim, were found in January 1998.Skeletal remains likely those of man lost in flood https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154466936/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 31, 1998 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionWashoe coroner still trying to identify human remains https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153316739/ Reno Gazette-Journal March 21, 1998 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Response and aftermath On January 2, 1997, Nevada governor Bob Miller toured flood-damaged areas by helicopter,Aerial inspection reveals inland seas of chocolate-colored water https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154491641/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 3, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription and declared a state of emergency for Carson City as well as four counties: Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe. The following day, U.S. president Bill Clinton declared the affected counties as a major disaster area, making them eligible for federal assistance programs.Clinton declares disaster https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477274375/ Elko Daily Free Press January 4, 1997 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionWater devastation https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154491728/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 4, 1997 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionThe National Weather Service says no more storms https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/01/03/The-National-Weather-Service-says-no-more-storms-are/8769852267600/ April 5, 2023 UPI January 3, 1997 Two additional counties, Churchill and Mineral, were designated for assistance on January 15. Much of the flood damage occurred in Washoe County. Clean-up efforts in Reno ramped up on January 3, as water began to recede.Residents emerge into sunshine, begin to repair damage from flood https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154491728/ Reno Gazette-Journal January 4, 1997 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription The flood's financial cost led to the permanent closure of several small casinos there.Adams Ken Reno and the Flood That Swept Away an Era https://cdcgaming.com/commentary/reno-and-the-flood-that-swept-away-an-era/ April 4, 2023 CDC Gaming Reports January 19, 2017 Early estimates of statewide damage, compiled by several government sources, put the cost at $632.5 million, including $540.2 million in Washoe County.$1 billion pricetag attached to flooding https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154486868/ Reno Gazette-Journal June 25, 1997 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription The final cost of statewide building damage was estimated by USACE at $450 million,Chapter 9: Truckee River Basin https://www.usbr.gov/climate/secure/docs/2016secure/2016SECUREReport-chapter9.pdf United States Bureau of Reclamation April 6, 2023 9–3 March 2016 The 1997 New Year’s Day Flood, the flood of record, resulted in over $450 million (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] 2013) in damages in six Nevada counties.Truckee and Carson River Basins https://www.usbr.gov/climate/secure/docs/2021secure/basinreports/TruckeeBasin.pdf April 6, 2023 United States Bureau of Reclamation March 2021 5 The famous New Year’s food of 1997 caused more than $450 million (unadjusted) in damage. while local officials estimated total flood damage at $680 million when taking business losses into account.Voyles Susan Local governments want Legislature to create flood control district https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150473891/ Reno Gazette-Journal August 19, 2006 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription In the 1997 flood of the Truckee, the corps estimated building damages at $450 million while local flood officials estimate the flood damage at $680 million, including lost business.Truckee Meadows flood control project dodges federal delays https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150598940/ Reno Gazette-Journal May 1, 2002 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Bowker represents a group called the Truckee River Water Management Council and its analysis showed the 1997 New Year's Day flood caused $680 million in damage [...]. The state had a $123 million emergency fund.Retrieved April 6, 2023:Henry Larry Titus' flood remarks open dam of criticism https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jan/14/titus-flood-remarks-open-dam-of-criticism/ Las Vegas Sun January 14, 1997 Whaley Sean Nevada cleanup to cost millions https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Nevada+cleanup+to+cost+millions%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB Las Vegas Review-Journal January 7, 1997 subscription Vogel Ed Flooding tax hike spurned https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flooding+tax+hike+spurned%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB Las Vegas Review-Journal January 8, 1997 subscription Whaley Sean Northern Nevada's flood damage won't be paid for with state's rainy day fund http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-20-Thu-1997/news/5064150.html Las Vegas Review-Journal March 20, 1997 https://web.archive.org/web/20000916161535/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-20-Thu-1997/news/5064150.html September 16, 2000 In 1998, Reno and Sparks agreed to donate land to be used for future flood control projects.Voyles Susan Reno, Sparks donate land for flood control https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153245460/ Reno Gazette-Journal November 18, 1998 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Two years later, Washoe County residents created a community coalition to work on flood prevention.Reducing Flood Damage https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152126588/ Reno Gazette-Journal February 14, 2005 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com subscription In the Carson City area, more than $36 million in flood control projects had been completed as of 2006.Shipley Jarid Lessons from 'Flood of the Century' relevant 10 years later https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2006/dec/29/lessons-from-flood-of-the-century-relevant-10-year/ April 4, 2023 Nevada Appeal December 29, 2006 The Truckee River Flood Management Authority (TRFMA) was also formed in 2011 and took measures as well to mitigate future floods.Reno vote creates flood plan agency https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148835595/ Reno Gazette-Journal February 10, 2011 April 5, 2023 Newspapers.com subscriptionScofield Sydnee Flood of 1997 still affecting northern Nevada https://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Looking-back-on-the-flood-of-1997-409544365.html April 4, 2023 KOLO January 3, 2017 See also 1999 Las Vegas flood References External links Photos: The 1997 New Year's Flood by the Reno Gazette Journal Category:1990s floods in the United States Category:1997 floods Category:1997 in Nevada Category:1997 natural disasters in the United States Category:Natural disasters in Nevada