Lisa J.Tolda/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL IN WASHOE VALLEY:
Firefighters put dirt on the road near a tractor-trailer that
overturned about noon Wednesday on Old U.S. 395.

Winds churn into region - Six moving tractor-trailers blown off area roads

Jeff DeLong RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
12/8/2004 10:51 pm

A warm and powerful Pacific storm blasted into Northern Nevada on Wednesday with dangerous winds, knocking over moving big rigs in Washoe Valley and causing scattered power outages across the region.

Close to 2 feet of fresh snow was reported in some parts of the Sierra on Wednesday before rising temperatures turned snowfall to rain in most locations below 8,000 feet, forecasters said.

The storm brought winds that at times reached hurricane force, with gusts of more than 140 mph recorded along the ridgelines of the Sierra. In Washoe Valley, gusts of more than 80 mph closed U.S. 395 in both directions between Reno and Carson City for most of the day and caused at least six trucks to topple to their sides.

“What a mess,” Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen said of the situation in Washoe Valley, where one truck driver suffered life-threatening injuries from the most serious crash there.