Winter Storm Update

With 4 to 5 inches of rain predicted for Western Nevada County through Sunday, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for low-lying areas. Excessive runoff from heavy rain and snow melt may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and areas with poor drainage, especially where the snowpack is blocking drains and culverts.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Eastern Nevada County until 10:00 am on Sunday. Residents should expect heavy snow at times, with additional snow accumulations of up to 6 feet above 8000 feet and 2 to 4 feet above 6500 feet, including Interstate 80.

The Office of Emergency Services is offering no-cost sandbags to residents at sites throughout Nevada County. Please bring your own shovel and reuse or bring your own sandbags if you have them.

With more rain and snow in the forecast, the Nevada County Building Department advises residents and businesses to monitor buildings and roofs for signs of excessive snow loads. Learn more about the warning signs of excessive snow loads.

The County will continue to provide information, including storm recovery resources, at NevadaCountyCA.gov/StormInfo.

Share Damage and Needs data via Storm Damage Survey

Take Nevada County’s Storm Damage Survey to Share Damage and Needs Data

Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has launched a Winter Storm Building Damage Survey to gather resident and business damage from the recent winter storms.

“These storms have hit our community hard,” said OES Director Craig Griesbach. “Data shared from this survey will help us advocate for state and federal assistance to be made available to our residents and help communicate the widespread and urgent impacts that power and communications outages have on our community.”

Residents and businesses can help report storm damage like down trees on their property or into structures, propane shortages, internet and phone outages, and dangerous snow loads that may threaten their building’s structural integrity.

A large green Waste Management bin sits on the side of the driveway leading to the Rood Center

Nevada County and Waste Management Provide Bins for Spoiled Food

Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services has partnered with Waste Management to provide food waste bins for spoiled food due to the recent power outages.

Food waste bins are available through 5:00 pm Sunday, March 12th, at the Nevada County Eric Rood Administrative Center (950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City) and the Peardale Chicago Park Fire District Station 57 (18934 Colfax Hwy, Grass Valley). Please note that this program is for food waste only.

A yellow metal building buckles under the weigh of heavy snow

Snow Load Advisory: Reminder to Monitor Structures for Dangerous Snow Loads

Nevada County’s Building Department is advising residents and businesses to monitor buildings and roofs for signs of excessive snow loads. With significant rain in the forecast, it will be possible for the snow to act as a sponge absorbing the moisture and posing additional stress to roof structures.

“We’ve started to see damage to outdoor structures and several commercial buildings with collapsed roofs due to the heavy snow loads,” said Nevada County’s Building Director George Schureck. “With the possibility of rain and snow freezing and increasing the weight on structures, residents should be aware of the warning signs as it becomes dangerous.”

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Nevada County Provides Priority Permitting and Fee Waiver for Winter Storm Damage

Residents and business owners with storm damage repairs in unincorporated Nevada County will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits through the Nevada County Community Development Agency (CDA) for repairs following the February 24, 2023, winter storm.

“Our goal is to help the community recover by offering expedited permitting and fee waivers. Our team is ready to support the community’s efforts to rebuild,” said George Schureck, Building Director.

The County’s Emergency Proclamation for the recent winter storm made the fee waivers available to properties that require permitted repairs from the recent winter storm. Examples of permitted repairs from storm damage may include electrical damage, structural roof repair, septic repair, well repair, decking reconstruction, foundation repair, and similar components that were damaged during the storm. The fee waivers will cover permit fees for storm-related damage from the February/March Winter Storms that began on February 24, 2023, including structure and roof collapse from the snow during this time.

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Caltrans Warns Motorists of Storm Impact to Mountain and Valley Travel

Motorists should prepare for a warm wet winter storm sweeping through the Sacramento Valley, foothills and Sierra, making travel difficult through the weekend. Caltrans is prepositioning equipment, resources, and personnel to strategic points to respond quickly to emergencies that may be triggered by widespread valley and foothill rain, high-elevation snow, flooding, and gusty winds.

Weather forecasters predict up to 8 feet of snow is expected to accumulate over Donner Summit on Interstate 80 and more than 3 feet over Echo Summit on U.S. Highway 50 beginning Thursday and continuing into Sunday night. As much as 10 inches of rain is forecast in the foothills and mountain areas. In the valley areas, 2-3 inches of rainfall is predicted for the Chico and Sacramento areas.

Motorists are advised to be alert for possible flooded roadways, downed trees, and power lines due to high winds. Chain controls and additional travel time should be expected in mountain areas, with temporary highway closures possible due to whiteout conditions, spinouts, or avalanche control work.

Nevada County's Economic Development Office Offers Recovery Resources

The Nevada County Economic Development Office is available to help navigate local, state, and federal government resources for businesses impacted by the 2023 Winter Storm.

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Five pedestrians, including a person using a wheelchair, stand at a busy intersection.

Transportation Commission Seeks Community Input at March 16th Virtual Workshop

The Nevada County Transportation Commission is hosting a virtual workshop on March 16th at 6:30 p.m. to get community input on the County's Regional Transportation Plan. Learn about the update of the Nevada County Regional Transportation Plan and how you can help shape the vision for the long-range regional transportation system in Nevada County!

Learn More

Golden scales on a green background. Text reads: Grand Jury Volunteers Needed

Nevada County Civil Grand Jury is Recruiting for 2023-2024

The Nevada County Civil Grand Jury is seeking Nevada County residents who are interested in working together to improve government and save taxpayer dollars in 2023-2024.

The Grand Jury is hosting an Open House on March 16th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Providence Mine Room, located on the second floor of the Eric Rood Center at 950 Maidu Avenue in Nevada City. Current Grand Jury members, including the Foreperson, officers, and committee chairs, will provide an informal presentation and answer questions about the Jury's work. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

March 14th Board of Supervisors Meeting Preview

The Tuesday, March 14th regular meeting of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Eric Rood Administrative Center in the Board Chambers.

Members of the public can provide general public comments or comment on items on the agenda by attending the meeting in person, emailing BOS.PublicComment@nevadacountyca.gov, calling 530-270-3474, or by using the Board’s eComment system. Please submit written comments before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13th, to provide time for the Board members to read them and for your comments to become part of the public record. Find additional ways to provide public comment on pages 10 and 11 of the agenda. Please visit the link below for the full agenda.

Following Public Comment and the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider a resolution proclaiming the month of March 2023 as "Youth Art Month" in Nevada County and another resolution proclaiming March 2023 as "American Red Cross Month" in Nevada County.

Office of Emergency Services Director Craig Griesbach will then bring a resolution to the Board to approve contracts for snow, tree, and debris removal services for the February 24, 2023 Winter Storm.

District II Supervisor Ed Scofield will then present a resolution extending the sunset and dissolution of the South County Area Municipal Advisory Council to December 31, 2024.

The Board will then go into closed session.

At 1:30 p.m., following a recess for lunch, Planning Director Brian Foss will lead a public hearing to consider the Nevada County Planning Commission’s January 12, 2023, unanimous vote and recommendation to approve the Greater Higgins Area Plan.

View the Meeting Agenda

Two characters hold up bottles of wine while carrying a life-sized wine glass filled with red and yellow grapes

GVDA to Host Foothills Celebration on Saturday, March 18th

Hosted by the Grass Valley Downtown Association, the Foothills Celebration event has continued to grow in popularity each and every year!

Sample chef specialties and delectable sweets from some of the area's finest restaurants and confectioners while you sip fine wines, kombuchas, and ciders from 24 foothill wineries and beverage purveyors.

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Job Openings at Nevada County: Behavioral Health Nurse I/II or Registered Nurse I/II

Nevada County employs approximately 800 employees covering a full range of services and positions, from accountants to wastewater treatment system operators. In Nevada County, quality of life comes first. It is the only rural California county with two designated Cultural Arts Districts and is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Is nursing your “thing”? Are you looking for a meaningful job in the nursing world? Join a fast-paced work environment filled with caring professionals dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable community members and get a hiring bonus of up to $5,000!

The Nevada County Behavioral Health Department is looking for a Registered Nurse I or II or a Behavioral Health Nurse I or II to provide support for medication refills, nursing assessments, assisting psychiatrists in daily duties, and coordinating services within the clinical team with primary care and other agencies. This nurse will be an integral part of a clinical team, including a supervisor, psychiatrist, case manager, therapist, and another nurse. Behavioral Health has a friendly, nurturing work environment, and we enjoy the privilege of serving individuals with serious mental illness. The work is always interesting and provides opportunities for collaborative, creative problem-solving. If you’re a caring nurse who brings a sense of humor and fun to your work, apply today!

Learn more about these positions online. Have a question? Contact Human Resources by calling (530) 265-7010 and selecting option 2.

New jobs this week:

View Current Job Openings

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