Hurricane City residents living along the Gould Wash were ordered to evacuate immediately on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, as a large flood wave moved downstream through the city. The National Weather Service issued multiple flood warnings that morning for parts of Southern Utah, including southeastern Washington County, southwestern Grand County, and northeastern San Juan County, as heavy rainfall triggered life-threatening flash flooding.
Emergency Evacuation Orders
The warning for Hurricane was issued at 9:52 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, after officials noted that between one and two inches of rain had already fallen across the Gould Wash. According to the National Weather Service, a large flood wave was moving downstream through Hurricane, and flash flooding was ongoing.
Officials warned that life-threatening flash floods were possible in urban areas, roads, underpasses, and in creeks and streams. The heavy rainfall created significant risks for several regions, including Hurricane City, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park.
Impact on Local Residents
As reported by KUTV and KJZZ, specific evacuation orders were issued for residents living in homes along Gould Wash or within the Willow Wind complex located at 80 South and 1150 West. These residents were told to evacuate immediately due to the threat of active or imminent flooding.
In response to the rising waters, officials cut off power to the Willow Wind RV park and the Pecan Meadow and Pecan Valley townhomes. The American Red Cross has been assisting those impacted by the flooding, and officials noted that anyone in need of assistance can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Emergency Services and Shelters
Hurricane City declared a local emergency as the storm moved through the region. To assist those displaced by the flooding, the LDS Stake Center at 272 South 700 West was opened as an emergency shelter.
Medical personnel were staged at the Coral Cliffs movie theater, located at 835 West State Street, to provide medical attention if needed. The flooding has also impacted the San Juan School District, where heavy rains forced at-home learning for schools.
Regional Flooding Risks
The flooding was not limited to Washington County. Just minutes before the Hurricane warning was issued, warnings were sent out for Grand and San Juan counties. In those areas, officials reported ongoing flooding in Hunters Canyon and Bartlett Wash.
The warnings for Grand and San Juan counties were issued shortly after 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, and were slated to remain in effect for 12 hours. Officials noted a potential for flooding in both Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands due to the weather conditions.
Safety Warnings Issued
Weather officials warned that between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen in the area, contributing to the danger. Authorities issued a critical reminder to motorists to stay off flooded roads, stating, "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
Infrastructure Damage
The heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to infrastructure in Southern Utah. Reports indicate that the flooding has caused severe road damage, leading police to urge residents to stay home to avoid the hazardous conditions.
Ongoing Monitoring
The weather situation in Southern Utah remains volatile following the heavy rainfall on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, as officials continue to monitor the movement of flood waves through the wash systems.
