South Lake Tahoe is currently facing severe flooding and structure collapses due to the continuous downpour caused by the atmospheric river.
The situation is worsened by the historic snowpack that has accumulated over the winter, which is now starting to melt and become slushy.
This has led to scenes of collapsed roofs, flooded runways, and collapsed structures throughout the city, with at least seven structures collapsing during the storm.
The city is cautioning against unnecessary travel for the next several weeks due to the potential risks of landslides, mudslides, and avalanches.
The situation is being closely monitored by Caltrans, with multiple crews tracking any impacts throughout the evening.
The city’s Fire Marshal has deployed additional strike teams to help clear out the area of several neighborhoods dealing with flooding.
Overall, the city is facing a double threat from heavy snow load and heavy rainfall, making it one of the worst situations seen in decades, according to South Lake Tahoe fire chief Jim Drennen.
