Dam, That’s Awkward: Reno's Downtown Flash Flood … Reddit Breaks the News

Joe Dutra - owner of Kimmie Candy - social media post.

While some local media was busy chasing cones at Keystone, a summer storm on Sunday, July 27 dumped hail, lightning, and a flood into downtown Reno—oh, and possibly swept away parts of the Arlington Bridge construction site. But you wouldn’t know that from your local media or the City of Reno, however RTC - Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County did step up with a post on Facebook yesterday.

Over the weekend, Reno was treated to a good old-fashioned summer storm—hail, lightning, flash flooding—and, it seems, a healthy dose of selective reporting.

While local media outlets were busy covering the always-thrilling Keystone intersection, something a little wetter and weirder happened near the Arlington Bridge construction zone. A viral post from none other than the owner of Kimmie Candy—a local sweet treat entrepreneur turned storm chaser—appeared to break the story: the temporary dam at the site had been compromised, swept by stormwater surging through downtown streets - or so it would seem.

Reddit video on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

But instead of headlines, we got silence. Crickets from the City of Reno. Nary a peep from RTC. And mainstream media? Apparently on a break from both Reddit and reporting.

Meanwhile, users on Reddit were doing the job of investigative journalists and public information officers—confirming details with the contractor, sharing eyewitness accounts, and clarifying that it wasn’t the Truckee River itself causing chaos, but a rush of flash flood water dumping into the construction site and beyond, and the temporary dam had not been compromised.

One user summarized the situation best:

"I'm sure it made a mess, and washed some important stuff away, but 'the dam is blown' is incorrect."

So why the silence? Could it be that the Arlington Bridge project has already worn out its welcome with Renoites and downtown dwellers facing two years of blocked parks, barricaded roads, and never-ending detours? Wouldn’t want to give folks another reason to ask questions.

RTC chimed in with a post urging everyone to “support downtown businesses.” Translation: “Please ignore the muddy mess.”

If you blinked, you missed it. And that’s just the way they like it.

RTC’s Monday, July 28, 2025 post about the Wingfield project.