UPDATE - June 26

Washoe County Commissioners unanimously voted this afternoon to ratify the Hidden Valley flash flooding as an emergency.

Residents say they are applauding the county public works department for all that they have done to clean up the public spaces and that within minutes of the flooding emergency crews responded.

Officials say crews have put in thousands of hours of work to clear the public areas and take away debris residents have removed from their homes and properties.

Many neighbors are still frustrated with the costs they're facing, blaming poor infrastructure and maintenance for the mess.

“There's a very large drain down there, and it has not been being maintained, and I haven't seen anyone coming out and cleaning the drainage in the area, for a long time. So, I don't know if that's part of it as well,” said Deborah Akins.

Other homeowners are frustrated by the lack of help they are able to get.

“I really appreciate all the work they're doing. But as property owners, that doesn't help us. We have to worry about how we're going to get out of a house where we're going to live for the time being,” said Alan Gubanich, a Hidden Valley homeowner.

Gubanich's home is 43 years old and has been declared as one of the six homes in the area with major damage, though he argues the damage has made his home uninhabitable. He says the community has rallied behind him and his wife, showing up and helping to clear out the mud that is four inches deep in some places inside his home. The work to clear it out may cost up to $84,000, and then tens of thousands more to restore it. Today's ratified declaration will hopefully lead to assistance.

“We have a financial threshold, given to us by the federal government that we have to hit in order to be eligible. If the state also meets their financial threshold to then, be eligible for a presidential declaration, which opens up, FEMA reimbursement and additional resources,” said Kelly Echeverria, Emergency Management Administrator for Washoe County.

The county says they're being diligent about tracking every penny spent to make sure they meet the threshold for state and federal help. Today's deceleration is the first step in that process. However, neighbors say they can't wait that long, and many like Gubanich have GoFundMe's set up for immediate help.

His can be found here: Fundraiser for Alan Gubanich by Kimberly Luikart : Support for Alan and Teresa's Home Recovery

UPDATE - June 25: 

Cleanup efforts in Hidden Valley are moving into a new phase as state and local officials begin assessing damage from last week's flooding.

 According to the Nevada Office of Emergency Management in an online post, Washoe County officials have requested assistance from state partners to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments.

The Washoe County manager declared a state of emergency June 22, and assessment teams will work with local officials to document impacts and determine whether eligibility requirements are met for a potential federal disaster declaration.

"Our thoughts are with the residents affected by the recent flooding in Hidden Valley," said NV OEM Chief Brett Compston. "While recovery efforts are already underway, we understand the disruption this event has caused for many families and property owners. The Nevada Office of Emergency Management is working with Washoe County to assess damages and evaluate potential assistance options. The Preliminary Damage Assessment process is a crucial step in determining whether the event qualifies for additional disaster assistance. We are committed to collaborating with our local partners to support recovery efforts and help impacted residents navigate the process."

Officials said federal disaster assistance is not automatically approved and would require the event to meet established thresholds and complete the required assessment and declaration process. Any final approval would be at the discretion of President Donald Trump.

Lyon County officials have also requested state assistance to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments, according to the agency.

For more information and recovery resources, residents are encouraged to monitor official communications from Washoe County at https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/.

(Nevada Office of Emergency Management contributed to this story.)


ORIGINAL STORY - June 21: 

Cleanup efforts are continuing in Hidden Valley after flooding affected the community, prompting officials to ask people to stay away from the area while crews work.

Residents are being asked to push mud and rocks into the roadway so that County crews can dispose of it.

According to an online post from Washoe County, Hidden Valley was hit hard by the flash flood on Friday. Officials said there is significant mud and debris on roadways and advised people to avoid the area as cleanup continues.

The National Weather Service radar estimate indicated approximately 2 ½ inches of rain fell in less than an hour on Friday. Approximately six homes have sustained major damage or have been destroyed by the mud and rocks that flowed through the neighborhood. 

Residents are being asked to push mud and rocks into the roadway so that County crews can dispose of it. Household debris must remain separate, and Waste Management has provided four Dumpsters to collect non-organic garbage (carpets and flooring, ruined furniture, etc.).

The Dumpsters are located at: 

  • Pembroke Drive at Parkway Drive 

  • Cheltenham Way at Rough Rock Road 

  • Parkway Drive at Hurst Park Road 

  • Native Dancer Drive at Parkway Drive 

Washoe County is exploring options for impacts to a private stormwater system owned by the defunct homeowners association so that it may be able to hold further rainfall.  

Washoe County Manager Kate Thomas will be issuing an Emergency Declaration to be voted on the Board of County Commissioners at a special meeting on Friday that will make emergency funding available for the cleanup. Additionally, Team Rubicon is providing volunteers to help residents clean up their personal property. Washoe County is not permitted to operate on private property. Please work with your insurance carrier or call Washoe311 (3-1-1) to request assistance. It is always a good idea to consider flood insurance regardless of your home’s proximity to a FEMA-designated floodplain. Learn about federal flood insurance programs here.  

Hidden Valley Regional Park will remain closed until further notice.

Washoe County said crews are working to clear the affected area and encouraged people to continue monitoring updates. Directing Hidden Valley residents to resources related to the response and recovery efforts following the June 19 flash flood at the Washoe County Emergency Center website.

(Washoe County contributed to this story.)