by MandysMom » Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:19 pm
So glad none of you were harmed by Ida. Yes, I double checked my calendar , September starts Wednesday, not tomorrow! LOL
Yesterday reached 106° here, sure hope prediction of cooling happens! Red flag warnings up and down state for wind and low humidity. Want to clarify for those not familiar with Tahoe. It's a very large lake. A lot of granite rock at some area edges. Northern Tahoe is California and Southern Tahoe is partially Nevada. The state line runs through the lake at a angle. So when one says Tahoe basin, you are describing a very large diverse area around a lake is 22 miles long and 17 miles wide with a varied economy and cities, but only 2 or in some places 4 lane highways, not freeways, in and out of the mountain basin which surrounds it all. . At moment, South Tahoe, including the highways leading west are now under mandatory evacuation/closure. So in excess of 30,000 people need to travel east on narrow highways, and either around the lake then to I-80 or up and over to Nevada and Reno/ Carson City area. It would be difficult for fire to surround the lake because of so much granite without vegetation in several areas, but all south of the lake is either burning or expected to be at high risk to burn in next few days with winds expected to be 25-30 sustained plus gusts to 50 or higher, with the wind pushing in a north east direction , right towards south Lake Tahoe edge. It's potentially going to be a very bad week in California because these winds will not only push existing fire but cause blowing embers to start spot fires as much as 2 miles ahead of the fire, which with narrow mountain roads could trap people both fire personnel and anyone stupid enough to ignore mandatory evacuation which is in an extensive area now. A friend who lives on my end, the west edge of where fire started, has been evacuated about 2 weeks now. Because the Sierras are a resort area, with retirees, regular families with jobs to support the tourist industry, and support the casinos on Nevada side, all evacuated, it's putting pressure on a lot of things from gas stations trying to keep up supply so people can get out, to food supplies that can not get there due to road closures and enough places affordable enough for people to stay for extended period of time. At moment it's not unusual to find long lines at gas stations here.
As for us, air is still smoky unhealthy levels, which might improve as winds come in. I'm heading to Curves shortly. Not a lot of plans for week. It's a particularly sensitive week as the anniversary of Mels death is Sunday . Being aware, I will be kind to me and journal a lot. Hope predictions of cooling into mid to low 90's holds true. Do a rain dance for CA please, and maybe the Democrat candidate to replace Governor is right, we need to build a pipeline for water from the Mississippi to California! Take your excess and relieve flooding by redistributing to where it's needed! ( yes I think it's a impossible dream, but it was interesting he brought it up,in debate).
Velda