Estimated read time: Less than a minute
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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- Washington and Iron counties have declared states of local emergency for flooding yet to come.
Washington County Administrator John Willie said the declarations on Monday put the counties in position to cut through red tape should additional flooding occur.
Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner said the declarations will allow county workers easier access to the streams. That will allow workers to continue strengthening the banks.
"We're not projecting disaster or calamity," Washington County Commission Chairman James Eardley said. "We just want to be prepared and want to do all we can."
Eardley said there is a perception that state officials may think the worst is over.
Repairs following the January floods have not been completed, and the high water content in the mountain snows has created a potential for spring flooding, officials said.
With more than 60 inches of water sitting above Iron County and the fear that the water might come down fast, now is the time to make the declaration, said Iron County Commission Chairman Dennis Stowell.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
