National Weather Service predicts a significant storm through early next week, significantly impacting holiday travel. Nevada County Public Works Roads team will be ready to address roadside concerns, from down trees to sanding and snowplowing, 24/7 throughout the holiday weekend.
The upcoming storm may bring snow down to lower elevations around 2500 feet. Our team of snowplow operators will be working to help maintain county roads, starting with arterial roads, followed by collector roads, and then county-maintained residential roads (most residential roads in Nevada County are private roadways). To learn more, visit www.mynevadacounty.com/livinginsnowcountry.
Nevada County Public Works encourages residents to report their roadside concerns:
- If you have an emergency, please report immediately through 911.
- If you have an urgent issue such as a tree blocking a road, please report it to Public Works at 530-265-1411 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and Sheriff's Dispatch at 530-265-1471 this Friday, through the weekend, and after hours.
- If you have a non-emergency concern, please report it through our Service Request Tool or www.mynevadacounty.com/servicerequest. Service Request Step-By-Step Brochure explains the process to submit a request and check on the status of your request.
Please remember that if you are in the City of Grass Valley, City of Nevada City, or Town of Truckee city/town limits, their service teams will be the go-to resource for that area. Please visit their websites for additional information.
CalTrans Winter Weather Travel Tips
CalTrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans is alerting motorists to a series of storms that will dump several feet of snow in the Sierra and create slick roadways in the Sacramento Valley area, making holiday travel difficult this week.
Caltrans has also provided the following travel tips for a variety of winter weather conditions.
Dense Fog:
- Reduce your speed to ensure a safe stopping distance.
- Drive with headlights on low beam. Never drive with only the parking lights or fog lights on and avoid using high beams in fog.
- Use extra caution when crossing traffic or busy intersections, especially in dense fog. Lower your window and listen for traffic you can't see.
- Use windshield wipers and your defroster to improve visibility.
Rain or Flooded Roadways:
- Reduce your speed to avoid losing traction and ensure a safe stopping distance.
- Always drive with headlights on to improve visibility.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.
- Don't drive in water if you can't see road markings. A vehicle can float in just one foot of water. It's safer to turn around and find another route.
- Try to stay in the middle lane where flooding is less likely.
- Drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you. The vehicle ahead can displace standing water that's on the road.
Snow:
- Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater, and exhaust system are in top condition, and fill your gas tank before entering chain control areas.
- Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures.
- Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition. A minimum tread depth of 6/32" is recommended for driving in snow.
- Always carry chains and make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order. Practice installing chains before you encounter snowy highway conditions.
- It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets, and extra clothing for unanticipated travel delays.
During the winter months, motorists may encounter chain controls in mountain areas. When chain controls are established, signs will be posted along the road indicating the type of requirement. There are three levels of chain requirements in California.
