Storm brings 140-mph winds near Reno; surfers hit waves at Tahoe — PHOTOS
Surfers took advantage of high waves on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
Surfers took advantage of high waves on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
Surfers took advantage of high waves on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
Surfers took advantage of high waves on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves roll on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
Surfers took advantage of high waves on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves roll on Lake Tahoe as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
High waves crash on Lake Tahoe dock as a powerful Pacific storm moved into Northern Nevada on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Wind gusts reached 140 mph in Sierra Nevada passes near Reno. (Courtesy/Facebook, Placer County, Calif., Sheriff's Office)
RENO — Winds gusting to 140 mph through Sierra Nevada passes ahead of a powerful Pacific storm damaged homes and a church in South Lake Tahoe, closed schools, and grounded commercial airline flights in Reno.
The sheriff’s office in California’s El Dorado County says South Tahoe and Mount Tallac high schools and five other campuses were closed Thursday due to a power outage.
Tahoe Douglas fire marshal Eric Guevin says St. Theresa Catholic Church was damaged by a falling tree.
No injuries have been reported from the storm expected to bring up to 3 feet of snow in higher elevations and rain to the Reno-Sparks area.
Gusts topping 70 mph canceled at least 30 flights at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
High-profile vehicles are banned on Interstate 580 between Reno and Carson City.
