UHP Responds To 76 Crashes; Heavy Rains Cause Mudslides In Little Cottonwood Canyon
Sep 11, 2019, 2:43 PM | Updated: Jul 16, 2023, 4:08 pm
Debris flow in Little Cottonwood Canyon. (UDOT)
(UDOT)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Highway Patrol troopers said they responded to 76 crashes after severe weather hit Utah Wednesday.
Troopers asked drivers to increase their following distance and slow down to speeds appropriate for wet road conditions.
Meanwhile, officials are warning of traffic delays in both Big and Little Cottonwood canyons after heavy rains slammed the areas.
A debris flow closed SR-210 in Little Cottonwood early Wednesday morning. Two feet of mud and debris covered the road and it took crews from the Utah Department of Transportation hours to clean up.
At about 3 a.m. today we had a debris slide in LCC near Lisa Falls after extreme overnight rains. The slide covered the road and was about two feet deep. Our crews have been busy working all night and have one lane open to alternating traffic. Avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/IHP0kWMZka
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) September 11, 2019
However, rains continued to fall while crews worked to stabilize the hillside in the area.
With today’s heavy rains, we are working hard to reinforce the hillside. Please use caution when driving through Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, as there is debris on the roadway. pic.twitter.com/GiX2Y4MoxK
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) September 11, 2019
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Little Cottonwood Canyon at 2 p.m. which lasts until 5 p.m. Officials said more debris flows could happen as steady rainfall continues to drain through the area.
Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory for Little Cottonwood Canyon until 5pm. Steady rain is causing continued flows & additional debris from previous flow areas such as Lisa Falls and Tanners Gulch. Expect periodic delays & road closures as these basins continue to drain. #utwx
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) September 11, 2019
Further up the canyon, snow began to fall at Snowbird Wednesday. Higher elevations across Utah saw snow fall as well.
It’s coming down now! pic.twitter.com/sqyqHqCMyR
— Snowbird (@Snowbird) September 11, 2019
