Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CARBON COUNTY — Evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their homes Sunday to gather some of their belongings after severe storms Saturday caused widespread flooding.
A sewage treatment plant was also shut down after officials discovered it was under 4 feet of water and it leaked into the Price River. Machinery and pumps at the plant have been shut off as of Sunday morning.
Carbon County and Wellington City have declared a state of emergency due to widespread flooding following severe thunderstorms Saturday, which has displaced residents, Carbon County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Tom Stefanoff said.
At least 24 homes were damaged and dozens of others were affected within Pilling's Trailer Court near 750 N. Carbonville Road, according to Stefanoff. Residents were escorted to their homes to retrieve clothing, medication, valuables and other emergency supplies Sunday when officials deemed it safe.
Residents of Carbonville are also being asked to boil their water Sunday. The boil order was issued after officials discovered the flooding at the sewage treatment plant.
Related:
Weather causes floods, warnings, road closures in Utah
Heavy rainfall led to flooding in various parts of Utah and forced transportation officials to close roads."There is still raw sewage out in the ponds and the areas around that as the whole are still saturated with ground water and it's not soaking in at all. It's not going anywhere," said Emergency Management Director of Carbon County Jason Llewelyn.
Officials won't be able to test the water for contamination until Monday, so the boil order will be in effect until at least Monday afternoon. Llewelyn said bathing should be safe, but any water that's ingested should be boiled first.
A shelter is in place at the Carbon County Event Center, located at 450 S. Fairgrounds Way in Price, for anyone displaced or affected by flooding. The Red Cross is providing food, clothing, medication, a mobile shower unit and temporary housing.
A flood hotline for the Carbon County area was established for residents' non-emergency needs, and Stefanoff said they were encouraging citizens who need help with cleanup, damage, or other assistance to contact 435-472-4357.
