By Associated Press - Tuesday, February 21, 2017

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Latest on heavy snow and rain in northern Nevada (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

The latest winter storm in the Sierra has dropped record rainfall on Reno for the second day in a row.

The “Biggest Little City in the World” has already received more rain since Jan. 1 than it normally does in an entire year - more than 8.6 inches compared to the annual average of 7.4.

The National Weather Service recorded just under an inch of rain (.91) on Tuesday at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. That breaks the old record of .75 set in 1936.

Monday’s total of 1.05 broke the old record of 0.67 set in 1992.

The 3.12 inches that has fallen since Feb. 1 is more than four-times the monthly average of .74.

Meanwhile, another 4 feet of new snow fell Monday and Tuesday at the Mt. Rose ski resort southwest of Reno. Resort officials say their record-breaking season has climbed past 52 feet. Another foot is possible by Wednesday.

4:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service has lifted a flash flood warning in northern Nevada for the rural town of Dayton east of Carson City where emergency managers had been concerned about a stormwater holding pond bursting.

The National Weather Service said late Tuesday afternoon the Southwest Dayton Retention Pond is no longer expected to fail.

It says flood waters are receding and there is no longer any threat to life or property.

The service issued the flash flood shortly after 1:30 p.m. as the latest in a winter-long series of storms continues to batter the Sierra and much of western Nevada.

More than 3 feet of snow has fallen in the mountains around Lake Tahoe in the last 24 hours, and up to another 2 feet is possible by Wednesday. Several inches of rain has fallen in areas around Reno and Carson City.

The California Highway Patrol opened U.S. Interstate 80 for a few hours in the middle of the day, but closed it again late Tuesday afternoon in whiteout conditions over the Donner Pass near Truckee, California.

The Mount Rose Highway connecting Reno to Tahoe’s north shore at Incline Village remains closed due to an avalanche.

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2:45 p.m.

Lyon County officials say a storm water retention pond is overflowing in Dayton, but no homes currently are threatened and no evacuation orders have been issued.

The National Weather Service in Reno issued a flash flood warning shortly after 12:35 p.m. Tuesday for eastern portions of Dayton south of U.S. Highway 50 about 30 miles east of Carson City.

The service said the failure of the retention pond’s dam was imminent and could send 2 to 4 feet of water flowing into some areas.

Lyon County Manager Jeff Page said in a statement later Tuesday afternoon the situation could change but there has the dam has not failed and there currently is no threat to homes or property. He says the retention pond is full and overflowing but so far all the water is moving into neighboring drainage ditches.

The flash flood warning remains in effect until 6:30 p.m.

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12:55 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning east of Carson City in Dayton, where authorities say they fear a dam soon will break at a retention pond.

The service says failure of the South Dayton Retention Pond south of U.S. Highway 50 could send 2 to 4 feet of water into low-lying areas east of Dayton Tuesday afternoon.

Weather officials expect that to happen by 3 p.m. Tuesday. They say it is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. They’re urging residents of East Dayton to seek high ground now.

A flood warning remains in effect for the area until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. More than 2 inches of rain has fallen in parts of the area in the last 24 hours.

12:10 p.m.

A fierce snowstorm has triggered widespread power outages around Lake Tahoe.

Liberty Utilities spokeswoman Kathy Carter said Tuesday at least 920 customers are without power in California’s Placer and El Dorado counties, and it could be many more. She says the threat of avalanches is making it difficult to assess the situation.

More than 3 feet of snow has fallen on the mountain tops in the past 24 hours. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday with up to another 2 feet of snow in the forecast for the upper elevations.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 over the top of the Sierra were closed in white conditions for several hours but reopened Tuesday afternoon.

Carter says crews are repairing downed power lines on Tahoe’s west shore near Rubicon Bay and north of Tahoe in Portola, California where at least four trees fell on utility equipment.

She says power should be restored later Tuesday in most areas. But she says people who live along parts of California Highway 89 between Tahoe and Truckee, California should plan on multiple-day outages.

An avalanche has closed the Mount Rose Highway connected Reno to Lake Tahoe.

11:10 a.m.

Eastbound Interstate 80 has been closed west of Reno due to a series of collisions in heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada.

There’s been no report of any injuries. But CalTrans Donner Pass Superintendent Dave Wood is urging all travelers to avoid the area Tuesday. He says the conditions are “fierce.”

The Mount Rose Highway connecting Reno to Lake Tahoe remains closed due to an avalanche. More than 3 feet of snow has fallen there in the last 24 hours and up to another 2 feet is possible into Wednesday. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

A mix of rain and snow continues to fall in the valleys from Carson City to Reno. A record 1.05 inches of rain fell at Reno Tahoe Airport on Monday. The old record of 0.67 was set in 1992.

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8:50 a.m.

Police in Reno say the Truckee River isn’t flooding, but authorities are watching creeks and road crossings for high water.

On Mount Rose, an avalanche has the main highway closed between Reno and Lake Tahoe, but no injuries are reported.

Reno police Officer Tim Broadway says one motorist who drove around barriers was rescued after his vehicle stalled in deep water early Tuesday on North Sierra Street near San Rafael Park.

Broadway says police found another vehicle swamped on North Virginia Street near the University of Nevada, Reno, but there wasn’t anyone in it.

The National Weather Service says a flood warning is in effect, with moderate to heavy snow affecting the Reno and Sparks areas until about noon.

Forecasts are for up to 3 slushy inches on the valley floor.

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8:10 a.m.

An avalanche has buried the main mountain highway between Reno and Lake Tahoe beneath some 20 feet of snow, but no injuries are reported.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dan Gordon said Tuesday there are no immediate reports that any motorists or vehicles were trapped in the snow slide near the crest of Mount Rose Highway.

He says the avalanche was reported about 9:15 p.m. Monday, and there’s no estimate yet when the road will reopen.

Gordon says it’s still snowing and driving conditions are treacherous in higher elevations throughout the Sierra Nevada, including Interstate 80.

He says vehicles must have chains or snow tires on all mountain passes.

In Reno, police tell the Reno Gazette-Journal (https://on.rgj.com/2l4auh6 ) that two motorists were plucked from vehicles that stalled early Tuesday in standing water downtown.

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