Tornado warning issued as severe storms bring hail and flash flooding to western Nevada A severe round of thunderstorms swept across western Nevada on Thursday afternoon, prompting a tornado warning for parts of Storey, Washoe, and Lyon counties. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno issued the warning at 1:37 p.m., citing a storm near Derby Dam, approximately 16 miles northeast of Virginia City, moving east at 15 mph. Radar detected rotation, and the warning remained in effect until 2:15 p.m. for Storey County, Southern Washoe County, and North-central Lyon County. The storm was expected to linger near Derby Dam around 1:40 p.m. before reaching Fernley by 1:55 p.m., with Wadsworth and Fernley-Tiger Field Airport also under threat. The tornado warning highlighted hazards including tornadoes, quarter-size hail, and flying debris capable of damaging mobile homes, roofs, windows, vehicles, and trees. The NWS urged residents in the warning area to seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoiding windows. Those outdoors, in mobile homes, or vehicles were advised to find substantial shelter immediately. Simultaneously, another severe thunderstorm warning was active for the same region. At 1:32 p.m., the NWS reported a storm near Derby Dam, 16 miles east of Reno, moving northeast at 5 mph. This storm could produce golf ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph, posing risks to people, animals, and infrastructure. The severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until 2 p.m. for Storey County, South central Washoe County, and Northern Lyon County. Heavy rain from the storms also triggered flash flooding threats around Reno and nearby communities. The NWS issued a flash flood warning for Storey County and South-central Washoe County until 4:15 p.m.#national_weather_service #reno #washoe_county #derby_dam #storey_county
