Heavy Rain Causes Mudslides, Flash Flooding Across Northern Utah

NORTHERN UTAH – Storms packing heavy rainfall left their mark across Northern Utah Wednesday evening.

In Summit County, a car was caught up in a flash flood along Chalk Creek Road.

“You wouldn’t have been able to see it until it was right on you here in this corner,” said Tyler Rowser, spokesperson for the North Summit Fire District.

Water from the rainfall rushed down a hillside, collecting mud and debris and then washed it over the road. Rowser said the people in the car were not injured.

“They were able to get out. A bystander, who was initially first on scene, was able to help them get out of the vehicle and get out of any danger,” he said.

In Utah County, the heavy rain led to a mudslide along Diamond Fork Road. An 8.6-mile stretch of Diamond Fork Road is closed from Red Ledges picnic area to Springville Crossing while crews clean up.

Utah Highway Patrol said they worked several crashes due to the wet weather.

“These storms that came through, it’s just a wall of water,” said Corporal Chris Bishop. “Sometimes the drains just can’t keep up with the amount of water that’s dumped in these heavy storms that come through.”

Related: Ranch Owners Clean Up Mud, Water From Flash Flood

Several inches of water covered part of I-215 near 3900 South, leading to a slowdown. Bishop said too often people do not increase their following distance in wet weather.

“I witnessed a crash as I was on a traffic stop just this afternoon, people following too close and with those wet roads, it’s really important to increase that following distance and know what’s ahead,” he said.

Bishop said it is also important to keep a close eye on your tire tread and windshield wipers when the roads get slick.

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