MONO COUNTY ALERT: Residents Urged to Prepare for Upcoming Storms as Atmospheric River Threatens to Bring Flooding and Trigger Avalanches

The National Weather Service has forecast a warm atmospheric river storm rolling in Thursday evening, with another one projected to begin early next week. Both of these storm systems will impact Mono County with rain upon snow, potentially triggering avalanches, and flooding at lower elevations.

The Mono County Office of Emergency Management is urging Mono County residents to utilize the break in between storms to prepare for the upcoming weather event. This includes preparing for potential power outages, road closures, and limited resources.

“It is critical that residents take this opportunity to prepare for the storm ahead,” said Chris Mokracek, Director of Emergency Management. “This means stocking up on at least a week’s worth of food and necessities to ride out the next storm event and the aftermath that it may bring.”

Mono County has already experienced 2-3 times the normal snowpack for early March, a level the National Weather Service is calling a “once in a generation” event. As the atmospheric river arrives on Thursday, concerns with the rainfall include flooding, water weighing down snow already accumulated on structures, and water being channeled by snowbanks.

STORM PREPARATION CHECKLIST