Venezuelans searched for survivors beneath collapsed buildings and rescue teams raced to northern areas rocked by a pair of powerful earthquakes that officials say killed around 235 people and left at least 4,300 people injured. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that hit Wednesday evening were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century. The quakes could be felt throughout the region. Acting President Delcy RodrÃguez says authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas. The natural disaster is the latest challenge for RodrÃguez, who took office in January after the U.S. seized then-president Nicolas Maduro in a surprise military operation.
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT SATURDAY
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE SIERRA FRONT...
* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 420 Northern Sierra Front
including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe,
Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties.
* Winds...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
* Humidity...Afternoon minimums of 12 to 20 percent.
* Duration...2 to 5 hours Friday with 3 to 8 hours Saturday.
* Impacts...The combination of gusty winds and dry fuels can
cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first
responders can contain them.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.
&&
...LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR
WASHOE LAKE...
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for
Washoe Lake.
* WHERE...Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area.
* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to
capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions
improve.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds may briefly subside tonight before
increasing again early Saturday morning.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Check lake conditions before heading out and be prepared for a
sudden increase in winds and wave heights. Consider postponing
boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.
&&