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- Areas of central and southern Utah are preparing for potential flooding as heavy rains move in this weekend.
- Moab officials are urging residents to secure sandbags and help clear storm drains.
- San Juan County similarly warns of flooding risks in slot canyons and low-lying areas.
SALT LAKE CITY — With rain moving in over the next few days, cities and counties across central and southern Utah are working to prepare for any flooding that might happen.
"A large swath of heavy rainfall has begun moving into southern Utah this afternoon, with more scattered showers ongoing across central Utah," the National Weather Service posted on X on Thursday. "Expect this heavy rain to continue moving northeastward through this afternoon and evening."
Officials in Moab told KSL-TV it's all hands on deck as moisture from Tropical Storm Priscilla moves into the state.
"We're definitely expecting a rain event this weekend," said city manager Michael Black. "We've got everybody out working. We're all out there checking on things."
The last few years have brought several floods to Moab. A major one hit in 2022, causing significant citywide damage. Another flood happened last summer, caused by heavy rain.
"We've become very aware that we can't predict exactly what is going to happen," Black said, while adding that crews are doing what they can such as clearing storm drains and catch basins.
The city has also told residents where to pick up sandbags to protect their own property.
"We've been reminding them this week — especially in the last few days — where to get those, how important it is to have those, and encouraging them to go down and have some of those on site," Black said, "so that they can be prepared for these surface floods that could come through."
Moab has also spent millions in grant money over the last few years to shore up its creeks, trying to keep the water in the banks and away from private property, according to Black.
"The city of Moab has been doing its best to protect against flooding with the resources that we have," he said.
In East Carbon, Carbon County, crews are also busy. Cody Valdez, maintenance supervisor for the small town of under 2,000 people, said his crews are also clearing storm drains and making sure there are enough sandbags for everyone.
"Well, a lot of people here have basements," Valdez said, "and that's (the) first thing what usually floods is people's basements, so we're just looking out for them."
San Juan County is also urging people to "use caution over the next several days" as heavy rain is expected to fall.
"This may lead to flooding in slot canyons, dry washes, rivers, streams, and low-lying areas," the county said in a news release. "If you are hiking, backpacking, or recreating outdoors: Be aware of your surroundings and weather forecasts. Slot canyons can fill with water suddenly. Rivers and streams may become high and swift. A small trickle going in can turn into a full creek or river on your way out."
The National Weather Service had already issued multiple flash flood warnings on Thursday afternoon for places in southern Utah, including Zion National Park and Warm Creek in Kane County.
The Red Cross urged everyone to have an emergency plan, an emergency kit and protect valuables in the days ahead.
