In the serene neighborhood of Hidden Valley, a sudden flash flood transformed tranquility into turmoil. Retired professor Alan Gubanich and his wife Teresa, who have cherished their home for decades, found themselves amidst an unexpected deluge that wreaked havoc on their property.
Flash Flood Strikes Home
While watching a movie on a Friday afternoon, the couple’s peaceful day was shattered by a power outage followed by a rush of water and mud. “It looked like a river coming through the doggy door,” Gubanich recounted, describing the scene as three inches of muck invaded nearly every room, forcing doors open and bending the garage door with debris.
As the neighborhood grappled with the aftermath, the Gubanich home was a scene of scattered chairs, lamps, and boxes across the lawn. Despite salvaging a computer, the fate of Teresa’s Indigenous pottery and Alan’s art supplies was uncertain. “I was getting ready to start doing more watercolor,” said Gubanich, lamenting the damage to his art studio.
Lucia Starbuck
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KUNR Public Radio
The community has rallied around the Gubanichs, with friends, strangers, and former students helping in the arduous cleanup effort. “It makes me tear up,” Gubanich expressed, moved by the overwhelming support from familiar faces and new acquaintances alike.
Insurance and Flood Risks
Unfortunately, the couple lacks flood insurance, as their property sits outside the FEMA-designated flood zone. Reflecting on the event, Gubanich remarked, “You’d never think it was going to happen.”
Previous floods in the area have prompted officials to advise residents to consider flood insurance. Washoe County officials are reaching out for state and federal assistance, with Emergency Management Administrator Kelly Echeverria noting the need to meet financial thresholds for public assistance.
National Weather Service hydrologist Tim Bardsley explained the flood-prone nature of the area, situated on an alluvial fan where debris and sediment accumulate. These regions are common in the Mountain West, yet often go unrecognized for their flood risks.
Bardsley noted that typical drainage systems are insufficient for such intense floods, which are rare but costly to mitigate. Retention basins, maintained by homeowners’ associations, are recommended as preventive measures alongside monitoring the weather.
In the wake of the flood, Echeverria stated that Washoe County is collaborating with Nevada flood action groups, such as Nevada Silver Jackets, to enhance flood preparedness communication, including educating residents on flood zones and insurance options.
Lucia Starbuck
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KUNR Public Radio
Currently, the Gubanichs are staying with a friend as they search for rental accommodation. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist them during this challenging time. Reflecting on cherished memories, Gubanich fondly remembers birding trips and the joy of returning home to relive those moments through photography.
Despite the uncertainty, Gubanich remains committed to ensuring the well-being of local wildlife by keeping the bird feeders filled.
