High fire danger, flash floods expected across Utah

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY — Officials have issued red flag warnings across Utah, and said weekend storms may cause flash flooding.

According to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, winds are expected along western regions. The Wasatch front will likely see gusts up to 40 mph, with the west desert experiencing winds up to 50 mph on Friday and Saturday.

In Provo, Orem, and Spanish Fork, wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected Friday night.

In Santaquin, gusts up to 35 mph are expected, according to the Santaquin City Fire Department in a Facebook post.

On Saturday morning, the Juab County Sheriff issued a high wind warning, with gusts expected to reach 60 mph, in effect until 10 p.m., in Western Millard, Juab Counties, and Southwest Utah.

“High winds way move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages,” the warning said. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles and vehicles with trailers. Use extra caution. People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.”

The National Weather Service Salt Lake City Office issued wind advisories and high wind warnings along the Wasatch Front, central Utah, and eastern valleys, until 10 p.m. Saturday.

“Expect strong crosswinds on east-west routes, choppy water on reservoirs as well as patchy blowing dust.”

“Critical fire weather conditions are possible. Any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly,” the post reads. SCFD advised postponing any activity that may ignite a fire.

Red flag warning

The National Weather Service Salt Lake City office issued a red flag warning, effective through midnight on Saturday.

Gusty winds during the day along with low relative humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions for areas across western Utah Friday and Saturday. #utwx pic.twitter.com/42ycuYhfMM

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 23, 2024

Flash flood warning

The NWS said isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon “along and east of” Interstate 15, bringing wind, hail, and heavy rain.

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon along and east of I-15. The primary threats will be gusty winds, hail, and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding in flood prone areas. #utwx #wywx pic.twitter.com/jFxkudBteT

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 23, 2024

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Garfield County and Kane County through Friday afternoon.

The storms could lead to flash flooding in prone areas, including national parks, with slot canyons and burn scars.

NWS reported “significant flash flooding” on the Paria River in Kane County, and the headwaters for Wahweap Creek, and said to expect more flooding along Last Chance Creek, and Warm Creek.

Some flooding has taken place in parts of Southern Utah, including Hurricane, Cedar City, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park.

A search and rescue operation is underway at Grand Canyon National Park after a flash flood occurred in Havasu Creek and Beaver Falls, which are located in Arizona.

The flash flood “led to several hikers being stranded in the affected area,” according to a release from the National Park Service. One person is still believed to be missing.

A small flash flood was reported in the Middle Fork Canyon in Zion National Park, after a “decent storm rolled through the area.”

Small flash flood in Taylor Creek up Middle Fork Canyon in @ZionNPS after a decent storm rolled through the area. pic.twitter.com/zb79IYQwa1

— Devon Dewey (@DevonDewey) August 23, 2024

Following multiple search and rescue missions due to weather over recent weeks, officials advise giving someone your itinerary when hiking or camping and avoiding flood-prone areas.

Grand County issued a flood warning for its area, warning drivers in Moab that cars with only four-wheel drive cannot drive through traffic because the roadway is covered in several inches of mud.

Kane Creek Blvd passable only with 4-wheel drive at this time. Other roads in the county also affected by flooding. pic.twitter.com/IHTWu3kuVI

— City of Moab, Utah (@CityofMoab) August 24, 2024

On Sunday, temperatures drop to the mid-70s, with warm and dry conditions for the remainder of the week.

State of Emergency Order

On Friday evening, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency due to recent flooding in Utah communities.

According to the governor’s office, many Utahns have experienced serious damage to their homes and infrastructure due to the recent storms.

“The flooding we have seen over the past few weeks has been devastating,” Cox said in a press release. “I saw some of the damages first hand in Sanpete County, and I know Utahns have been similarly impacted across the state.”

Cox also said there are concerns about wildfire burn scars and high temperatures increasing the flash flood risks.

I’ve issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency due to flooding in Utah. The flooding we have seen over the past few weeks has been devastating. I saw some of the damages first hand in Sanpete County, and I know Utahns have been similarly impacted across the state.…

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) August 24, 2024

This story will be updated as KSL TV receives more information on weather conditions.