ST. GEORGE — The brief break from the heavy monsoon rains was just that: brief. The National Weather Service says Southern Utah is in for another week of flood watches and brief, but heavy, thunderstorms similar to that seen just over a week ago.
Update Aug. 9, 5:25 p.m. The NWS has issued a flash flood warning for west central Kane County and east central Washington County as follows:
“Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the south end of Zion National Park and the city of Springdale. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.50 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
Update Aug. 9, 4:40 p.m. Flood advisories and flood watches have been issued by the National Weather Service for throughout the afternoon the following cities and townships: Milford, Circleville, Kanab, Alton, St. George, Hurricane, Koosharem, Bryce Canyon City, Cedar City, Panguitch, Escalante, Springdale, Brian Head, Beaver and Ivins.
Broader areas include Southwest Utah, Lower Washington County, Zion National Park, Southern Mountains, Upper Sevier River Valleys, Bryce Canyon Country and South Central Utah,
The advisory continues to remind citizens that “excessive runoff may result in flash flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, slickrock areas and other low-lying flood-prone locations.”
Update Aug. 9, 12:30 p.m. Information added from weather service, including a heavy monsoon pattern expected to last throughout the week.
A flood watch has been issued that covers all five of Southern Utah’s counties through Tuesday until midnight but is likely to continue for a long period after that.
The weather pattern was elevated from Monday, when it had looked like this was going to be a milder monsoonal pattern than the one that downed trees and flooded Southern Utah city streets at the start of the month, as previously reported by St. George News. It also appeared that it would be just a one-day flood pattern, but now appears likely to continue through at least next Monday.
Christine Kruse, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Salt Lake City office, told St. George News that while predicting the weather has some unpredictability – especially in Southern Utah – residents should be ready for the same kind of flooded streets and slot canyons they saw in the last week of July.
“It’s really hard to use comparisons,” Kruse said. “What I can tell you is it’s going to be a decent monsoon surge going into next week.”
Kruse said it may right now be a flood watch for Southern Utah, where flooding is possible, but residents should expect flood warnings, where flooding is imminent or occurring, over the next few afternoons and evenings.
The flood watch is in effect at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will continue into the evening. Cities included in the watch are Milford, Circleville, Kanab, Alton, St. George, Hurricane, Koosharem, Bryce Canyon City, Cedar City, Panguitch, Escalante, Springdale, Brian Head, Beaver and Ivins. Also included are Zion National Park, the Southern Mountains, upper Sevier River valleys, Bryce Canyon country and southcentral Utah.
According to the weather service, under this watch, flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flash flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, slickrock areas, and other low-lying, flood-prone locations.
A flood watch for Tuesday afternoon also was issued for portions of northwest Arizona, southeast California and Nevada, including the following areas, in northwest Arizona, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Northwest Deserts and Northwest Plateau.
In Nevada, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Las Vegas Valley, Lincoln County, northeast Clark County, Sheep Range, Southern Clark County, Spring Mountains-Red Rock Canyon and western Clark and southern Nye County.
Precautions
Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. The public should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action.
Turn around. Don’t drown.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and the National Weather Service offer the following safety rules for flash flooding:
- Flash flood waves, moving at incredible speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges and scour out new channels. Killing walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. You will not always have warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. You may have only seconds.
- 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. The road bed may not be intact under the water. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away.
- 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.
- Get out of areas subject to flooding, including dips, low spots, canyons and washes.
- Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not try to cross a flowing stream on foot where water is above your knees.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
During any flood emergency, stay tuned to official weather reports via radio, television and social media. Cell phone users can also sign up to receive weather alerts as text messages. You can also follow St. George News and Cedar City News for weather alerts and updates relevant to Southern Utah.
For the most current conditions, warnings and advisories, go to the National Weather Service-Salt Lake City office website.
St. George News reporter Chris Reed contributed to this story.