EMIGRATION CANYON — The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Emigration Creek in Salt Lake County Monday afternoon, which is expected to remain in effect until 10:45 p.m.

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At the mouth of Emigration Canyon, the creek is moving very fast. Earlier in the afternoon, county flood control crews measured the flow at 130 CFS (cubic feet per second), which is right at flood stage.

The problem is melting snowpack and a steady rain Monday that has pushed creeks, including Emigration Creek, out of their banks.

Ruth's Diner, a restaurant that calls the canyon home, was forced to close Monday night because of the flood waters.

"It's scary," owner Tracy Nelson said. "I believe the worst is yet to come."

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Rain brings flooding to Cache, Morgan counties

As the rain rolled in Monday, residents in many areas across Utah were forced to fight rising flood waters. So fare, Cache and Morgan counties have been hit the hardest.

Nelson first worked at the restaurant 25 years ago. She said she has never seen the creek this high. "We're hoping to save this old diner," she said. "That's our biggest concern."

The restaurant is dry, so far, but the raging water threatens Nelson's offices and computers in a building across the creek. Volunteers were able to divert the river through the restaurant's gazebo to keep it away.

"You can only do what you can do," Nelson said, "and we've got a lot of help."

Nearby, neighbors filled sandbags. Water washed toward many homes Monday evening, and cut away at the rock and soil of the channel.

Residents received good news Monday night when word came that the water level should have peaked at 9 p.m. Still, hydrologists say that water will continue to flow at very high speeds, and they advise residents living nearby to be cautious around the creek.

Email: jboal@ksl.com.

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