A fast-moving winter storm turned northern Nevada into a hazardous maze of snow and ice on Tuesday, prompting Governor Joe Lombardo to shut state executive branch offices across five counties. Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties are all affected, with only essential public safety and corrections personnel told to report for duty as road crews and emergency agencies contend with heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and strong winds that have slashed visibility on major routes.
As reported by the Las Vegas Sun, the governor’s office said all other state employees in the affected counties should stay away from their offices until conditions improve. The announcement cited alerts from the Nevada Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety warning of hazardous travel conditions.
NDOT and DPS warn of dangerous road conditions
The Nevada Department of Transportation has been pushing out updated advisories, camera feeds and chain or traction requirements as crews battle the storm. NDOT and the Department of Public Safety are urging motorists to avoid non-essential travel, brace for delays on I-80 and other trans-Sierra corridors, and follow pilot-car escorts or chain controls wherever they are posted.
What the closures mean for residents
With executive branch offices closed, state services that normally require an in-person visit may be delayed, and some hearings or appointments could be rescheduled. In a statement from the governor’s newsroom, Lombardo’s office urged residents to drive cautiously and use sound judgment while crews work to clear the roads. Essential public safety and corrections staff will remain on the job to handle emergencies.
How to stay updated and prepare
Drivers are encouraged to check the NV 511 traveler-information site for real-time road conditions, active snowplows and closures, and to review NDOT’s road-condition cameras before heading out. Local counties will share specific updates on school schedules, court operations and county services, and residents are advised to carry tire chains, emergency supplies and a fully charged phone if travel cannot be avoided.
State officials say they will reassess conditions and announce when normal operations can resume, urging employees and residents to keep an eye on official channels for the latest updates.
