While the weather may be calming down, the effects of the “Pineapple Express” are still being felt across much of Placer County. Over the past few days, we saw flooded and even washed out roads, nearly 12 feet of snow and even some surfers braving the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe. Some of the crazier things we saw these last few days were a big rig that toppled trying to pass a flooded road (don't try it, folks!), another big rig slipping and sliding down I-80 and even a few surfers hitting white cap waves on Lake Tahoe. (Here are plenty more photos taken during the storm around Placer County.) 

If you're headed to Lake Tahoe for the holiday weekend...

Please be advised that a considerable avalanche danger remains, especially in the backcountry, and be prepared for traffic delays and the possibility of power outages as we continue to dig out from the storm. Click here for what you need to know about the status of roads and utility services before you go, and click here to track the most recent avalanche conditions. 

And remember: safety on the slopes and following the rules of our mountain resorts are your responsibility. In partnership with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, a group of North Lake Tahoe area resorts have collaborated on a campaign designed to educate skiers and snowboarders about the importance of making smart choices and avoiding behavior that is against the law in Placer County. Click here for a quick primer on how to be “mountain wise.”

We're not out of the woods yet, Placer County!

With even more winter storms forecast for next week, there's a good chance of more flooding and blizzard conditions. Sign up now for our emergency alert system, Placer Alert, to get the fastest possible notification by phone,  text or email of dangers near the places you care about. Registering is easy at placer-alert.org.

Sheriff Bonner has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 24. He has served with the Placer County Sheriff's Office for 43 years, 22 of which were spent as sheriff. His accomplishments are vast and his influence will leave a lasting impression on our culture, families and community. Click here to watch his retirement announcement on Facebook.

Placer County will have more options now to site future permanent homeless shelters after the county board of supervisors voted Tuesday to change its zoning ordinance to allow more flexibility. Learn more

Aiming to improve options to care Placer’s homeless and foster youth, this week the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento to provide shelter beds if local foster families are not available. Read more

Free spay and neuter surgeries for cats are now available to Placer County residents. The program runs through the end February, aimed at reducing the population of stray and feral cats throughout the county. Learn more