Powerful Blizzard Hammers Sierra Nevada, Causing Widespread Outages and Road Closures

A ferocious blizzard slammed the Sierra Nevada overnight into Saturday, delivering the season’s heaviest snowfall, cutting power to tens of thousands, and forcing the closure of a 100-mile stretch of Interstate-80 in California. Heavy rain and strong winds are also impacting lower elevations.

Current Impacts:

• Power Outages: Approximately 36,000 customers in California, 37,000 in Nevada, and 12,000 in Idaho are currently without power.
• Snowfall: Up to 10 feet of snow is forecast in some mountainous areas.
• Dangerous Conditions: Blizzard conditions, near-zero visibility, and high avalanche danger in the backcountry pose extreme risks.
• I-80 Closure: A 100-mile section of I-80 from the California-Nevada border to near Emigrant Gap remains closed with no estimated reopening time.

Additional Storm Details:

• Tornado: A tornado touched down in Madera County, California, on Friday afternoon, causing damage to an elementary school.
• Ski Resorts: Most ski resorts were closed Friday and remain shut down Saturday, with updates expected later today.
• Blizzard Warning: The warning remains in effect through Sunday morning for a 300-mile stretch of the Sierra Nevada.

Timeline

The storm began impacting the region on Thursday. The heaviest snowfall and strongest winds occurred overnight Friday into Saturday.

Important Note: Conditions are extremely dangerous. Residents are urged to avoid travel, heed all weather warnings, and be prepared for potential extended power outages.

Credits: CBS