Nevada National Guard evacuates Reno residents

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The Nevada National Guard is deploying high-water vehicles to help evacuate residents in one town east of Reno, and to shuttle damage assessment teams to Sparks.

Lt. Col. Mickey Kirschenbaum said Monday about a dozen guard members are involved. He says the agency has other resources available, including some on standby if needed.

Kirschenbaum says five of the vehicles will be used to help evacuate people from a neighborhood that’s been cut off by flooding in the Storey County town of Lockwood.

About 1,300 residents have been evacuated from about 400 homes in a Reno neighborhood near the Truckee River.

Hundreds of people fled homes in Northern California and Nevada as a massive winter storm packing heavy rain, strong winds and lightning caused mudslides and widespread flooding.

Mudslides caused road closures across the region, including along major highways.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval declared a state of emergency in flooded areas and told non-essential state employees to stay home from work.