Power Outages Hit 30,000 in Reno-Tahoe Amid High Wind Warning

High winds have caused significant power outages in the Reno-Tahoe area, affecting over 30,000 NV Energy customers. As of 7:30 a.m. on November 5, residents were grappling with the impact of these outages as winds reached dangerous levels.

Power Outages Overview

The majority of power outages were reported in Washoe County, where more than 29,000 customers lost electricity. The most affected ZIP codes included:

• 89508
• 89503
• 89523
• 89511
• 89509
• 89506

Douglas County was also impacted, with 3,504 customers experiencing outages, particularly in the 89449 area code, which encompasses Stateline. NV Energy is currently investigating the root cause of these disruptions.

Weather Conditions Contributing to Outages

The region is under a high wind warning expected to last until 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Southwest winds are forecasted to reach speeds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts hitting up to 65 mph in valleys and 110 mph on ridgetops. This could lead to further damage, including downed trees and power lines.

The National Weather Service has warned of anticipatory widespread power outages and difficult travel conditions for high-profile vehicles due to the inclement weather.

Local Weather Forecast

In addition to power outages, the Reno-Sparks area is experiencing variable weather conditions. The forecast for Wednesday includes:

• Mostly cloudy with rain chances
• High temperatures ranging from 57 to 62°F
• Winds of 25 to 35 mph, gusting up to 60 mph

The upcoming days are expected to see variations in weather:

Lake Tahoe is anticipating rain and snow, particularly at higher elevations. Snow levels are expected to rise from 7,500 feet to 8,500 feet with potential accumulations of up to 4 inches. Winds in this region are similarly forecasted to be high, reaching gusts of 50 mph.

Residents are urged to stay informed about the weather and power restoration efforts as conditions evolve throughout the week.