Hurricane-force winds batter Nevada; rains drench California

Modesto Bee ^ | 12/15/02 | Martin Griffith

[hoosierskypilot]

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A powerful windstorm lashed the Reno area Saturday, causing major property damage, flight cancellations and scattered power outages.

Gusts reached up to 82 mph in Reno and 134 mph on the Sierra Nevada crest in advance of a storm expected to dump up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

"It's the strongest winds we've ever recorded in Reno," said weather service forecaster Tom Cylke. "What we saw today were hurricane-force winds."

Meanwhile, in Northern California, rain-swollen rivers rose to flood levels, while high winds, dangerous surf, snow and even a rare coastal tornado were reported.

[hoosierskypilot]

Tornado on the coast? O.K. This is getting serious.

[freedom4ever]

We're doomed!

[homeschool mama]

I didn't hear about the coastal tornado...but here in the Sacramento area the rain and winds have been significant. There's a break this morning...gladly.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

It was bad here in Meadow Vista last night. It's a lot calmer this monring, thank goodness.

[tom paine 2]

My daughter lives in Grass Valley. How is it in that area?

[glorgau]

Two times we've had rain this year, and two time the electricity has gone out for a couple of hours. This place has some solid infrastructure.

[lewislynn]

This place has some solid infrastructure.

Define this place.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

There were some power outages yesterday, but today it seems calm all over. Rain again, this afternoon, though.

[glorgau]

Define this place.

Sacramento area. It was actual weather in California!