Emergency responders prepare for rain and possible flooding

SALT LAKE CITY — Cities and agencies across the state are working to make sure Utahns are prepared for this next round of rain. The National Weather Service expects flash flooding in a number of areas in southern Utah. Emery County's Emergency Manager said hikers are often caught by surprise. “We're famous for our slot canyons and those are very, very dangerous in rain. And it doesn’t even take a lot of rain,” explained Deputy Jeremy Lake. If you made plans to head south this weekend, now's the time to reconsider. “We can't keep anybody out, but we discourage it," Lake said. He tells KSL this wasn't the first flood this year, so locals have been preparing for days. “We've got a lot of people, coming (to) get sandbags or reaching out of their cities to get sandbags just in case,” Lake said. Benjamin Donner, executive director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter, encouraged preparation. “Do we have a go bag ready to go for a couple days? Do we have medications if we needed to leave our home super quickly? Those are all things that, right now, as we look and we see blue skies, right now is the time to think about that," Donner said. He was one of the Red Cross responders to the Salt Lake City flooding over the weekend, where 27 homes were damaged by the rain. He explained that donations and volunteers make it possible for the Red Cross to offer some financial assistance and cleaning kits for families impacted. “We work one on one with those individuals to a keep them in a safe place," Donner said. "But then secondly, help them to recover in whatever way is best for them." To evaluate your flood risk or to find sandbags, check your local city's website. And both men said during storms like this, it's vital to keep your neighbors in mind. Check on those who are elderly or disabled and might not be able to prep their homes for incoming rain.

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