CEDAR CITY – Heavy rains fell on Cedar City and the surrounding area Saturday evening, resulting in widespread flooding, a power outage, and a record for the most rainfall in one day.
Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service out of Salt Lake City issued a flash flood warning for Cedar City. Soon after, reports of streets beginning to to flood began to come in. The NWS reported that the area had received heavy rainfall over a 45-minute period prior to the flood reports.
Also according to the NWS, rainfall recorded at the Cedar City Airport had rainfall totals at 2.25 inches. This beat out the previous record for single-day rainfall at 2.10 inches which was set on Sept. 24, 1967.
“That is the most water Cedar City has received in that amount of time since they have measured waterfall. Wow, no wonder we feel like chickens with our heads cut off in here!!,” the Cedar Communications Center (dispatch) posted on its Facebook page.
Cedar Communications Center also reported being hit with a large volume of calls as “massive flooding all over the city” took place.
They also posted that sandbags were being filled at the Search and Rescue building on Kitty Hawk Drive for those who need them.
“The rain and wind were torrential for about 20 minutes and then I heard lots of sirens for the next 20 minutes or so,” said Bryan Hyde, Cedar City resident and St. George News columnist. “It really poured for a long time. The storm drains have trouble keeping up on regular rainstorms. This would have been much more rain.”
According to SUU News, 30 homes were flooded due to the rains and the roof of MetalCraft Technology collapsed. No injures were reported.
Enoch also experienced heavy rains and flooding.
Rocky Mountain Power initially reported over 5,700 customers were without power in the Cedar City area due to a transmission interruption. That number has been revised to 2,929 affected customers as of 8:30 p.m. Work crews have been dispatched to fix the problem. Power restoration is estimated at around 11 p.m.
Updates on the power outage can be following on Rocky Mountain Power’s website.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Dallan Cunningham, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Malissa Hodges, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Dallan Cunningham, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Delaina Dutton, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Dallan Cunningham, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Jared Roseman, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Jared Roseman, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Jared Roseman, St. George News
"It was a little frightening to see the Golf Course rivers and lakes form. You can see the red flood mud in the ditch in the foreground." Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Sara Penny, St. George News
"It was a little frightening to see the Golf Course rivers and lakes form. You can see the red flood mud in the ditch in the foreground." Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Sara Penny, St. George News
Flooding near airport in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Flooding near airport in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
"That’s an old irrigation ditch (I think) that never has water in it." Flooding near airport in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Water flooding over road near airport in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Water flooding over road near airport in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Truck was pulled out of flooding right in front of airport after stalling. Road was closed. Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Out west near Mountain Shadows. After water levels dipped for about 30 minutes. Flooding in Cedar City, Utah, July 27, 2013 | Photo by Brett Millett, St. George News
Precautionary and preparedness actions
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Most flood deaths occur in automobiles.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road.
Do not hike rivers and especially slot canyons while flash flood warnings are in place.
Do not hike alone and always tell someone where you and your buddy and others are going.
Turn around, don’t drown.
Related posts
- Flash Flood Watch for Southern Utah; STGnews Videocast of Washington City urban flooding
- Storms across Southern Utah; STGnews photo gallery
- Summer storms over Southern Utah; awe-inspiring lightning captured by STGnews friends
- UPDATED: Summer storm floods Coral Canyon homes; STGnews Videocast
- Flash flooding meets River Road near Southern Parkway; Videocast, STGnews photo gallery
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