July has been a crazy month in Reno (NV). A series of thunderstorms has moved through our area causing heavy rain and floods. On occasion, during the winter, the snowfall can become vey heavy.
What do you do when you can't leave due to bad weather?
When an exceptionally strong front moved through recently, the hail left the parking lot white. Soon, the hail turned to a torrential rainfall. We had received the weather warnings from NWS and advised out field personnel. It was intimidating to see a wall of thick gray moving towards us. We couldn't see the normal view of the agricultural pastures across the parking lot. The storm left a river flowing through the lot. The roof of dispatch was the base for a mini-waterfall.
What did we do? Like goofy idiots, we opened the door to shoot videos and take photos. Only after it passed was it safe to go outside
In the winter it occasionally snows here (at least in non-drought years). Our dispatch is self-sufficient with a microwave, coffee pot, bathroom, and a tv. In the past, some of our personnel have spent the night rather than risk driving home in poor road conditions.
It is time to plan ahead for such an occurrence, before the need there.
The photo was taken during the tail end of the storm. A Game Warden is sheltering in his vehicle parked next to the building.
