(AP) - Officials in Fernley, Nevada, say burrowing rodents may be responsible for a canal levee break that caused flooding in hundreds of homes this morning.
Officials say gophers are notorious for making holes that weaken the canal's earthen bank, and that once water finds a weak spot, it will "go for it."
The break came as a storm pummeled the West Coast, and the Fernley area had gotten snow and heavy rain yesterday.
The flooding stranded about 3,500 people in the town. School buses have been used to take residents to shelters set up at schools. Helicopters have also been brought in to help rescue people, as officials say some people were left standing in their driveways or on top of their buildings.
No injuries are being reported. Officials say the Truckee River water flowing into the canal has been diverted upstream and that water in the canal is receding.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement