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ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP/KSL News)— Crews in St. George are making some headway cleaning up from last week's flooding.
City work crews have finished repairing breaks in sewer lines, sealing off the one-and-a-half million gallons of raw sewage that had been spilling into the Santa Clara River. Power and telephone lines to affected areas have now been restored as well.
However, officials say the raw sewage that spilled out from the ruptured sewer lines is presenting a public health issue.
Health officials says people who go down by the Santa Clara River without taking proper precautions could contract diseases such as giardia and hepatitis A.
Both health and law enforcement officials are asking people to respect road closure signs, police barricade tape and private property as this health issue and other public safety issues are resolved.
Authorities also say looting has become a problem. Police have received several reports of thefts from homes and areas affected by flooding.
About 100 families are still homeless as a result of the floods.
Officials are now waiting word to see if Washington County will receive federal funds for clean-up efforts.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
