Nevada flood awareness week encourages Nevadans to prepare before, during and after a flood [Video]

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – As we head into the winter months, officials are urging Nevadans to act and be prepared by developing flood resilient communities that protect their families, homes, and businesses. Flooding is the most frequent and expensive natural disaster in the United States and Nevada is no exception.

“Nevada is unique because people have an idea that ‘well Nevada’s a desert, there’s no real flooding here’ and so they don’t realize how flooded we can get and how much damage it can do” shares George Robison, Executive Director of Truckee River Flood Management Authority. “If this river flooded like it did in 1997, it would likely do billions of dollars in economic damage.”

Since 1955, Nevada has received 18 presidential disaster declarations for flooding and as extreme weather events increase in both frequency and severity, the need for flood preparedness has never been more critical.

Nevadans are encouraged …