SALT LAKE CITY — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a flash flood warning for South Central Garfield County in Southern Utah.
From 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, residents are being warned of heavy rain and hail.
“Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area,” according to a weather service bulletin. “Between 0.25 and 0.75 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
Life-threatening flash flooding may be produced by the thunderstorms. Residents are being warned to stay out of slot canyons and normally dry washes.
“Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon and area tributaries of Harris Wash into the confluence of the Escalante River.”
Be prepared
Turn around — don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Remain alert for flooding — even in locations not receiving rain. Dry washes, streams and rivers can become raging killer currents in a matter of minutes from distant rainfall.
Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks, which can become killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks.
Iron County
The weather team also reported a storm in Cedar City and Enoch that will last until approximately 4 p.m. with wind gusts up to 70 mph.
“Expect considerable tree damage,” the media release stated. The storm could also cause damage to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.
Update: The National Weather Service has issued a warning for residents of Lund until 4:45 p.m. for winds up to 50 mph and dime-sized hail.
“A special weather statement has been issued for Lund, Utah and Latimer, Utah until 4:45 p.m. MDT,” NWS Salt Lake City posted to Twitter.
Update: At 4:20 p.m. MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 25 miles southwest of Milford, moving north at 25 mph. Residents of Beaver County, Utah, are being advised winds of up to 70 mph until approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 14.
Update: At 4:59 p.m. MDT, a severe thunderstorm warning for southwest Millard County in central Utah and western Beaver County in Southern Utah was issued by the National Weather Service. The advisory ends at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 14.
“A severe thunderstorm was located 28 miles west of Milford, moving northwest at 25 mph,” the emailed advisory stated. “Expect 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.”
Update: At 5:51 p.m. MDT, weather forecasters detected a strong thunderstorm 33
miles southeast of Garrison, Utah — 33 miles northwest of Milford — moving
north at 30 mph.
Hikers in the Kings Canyon area are being advised by the National Weather Service of the potential for flash flooding. The storm is expected to last until approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 14.
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