Severe flooding in Orangeville displaced approximately 100 people Saturday night after Cottonwood Creek overflowed its banks, inundating townhomes, streets, and local parks. Emergency crews and community volunteers are working to mitigate damage as residents brace for additional storms that threaten to bring further flooding to Emery County.
Devastation at Townhomes
The flooding, which occurred Saturday night, caused significant damage to the Cottontree Townhome complex and several nearby residences. Liberty Mason, the property manager of the Cottontree Townhomes, reported that 14 of the 18 units in the complex were occupied by young families, all of whom suffered damage from the floodwaters. According to Mason, roughly 80 people were displaced from that site alone.
Mason described a scene where water rose above the doors of almost every unit, leaving three to four inches of water and mud inside the homes. She noted that because the buildings are constructed on crawl spaces, those areas were completely filled with water, resembling a swimming pool. As the floodwaters receded, water was seen shooting out of the vents from the crawl spaces.
Witnesses Report Severe Surge
Witnesses described the event as a chaotic surge of water, mud, and silt. Brandon Ledger, who was in Orangeville helping a displaced family member, stated that he has not seen conditions this severe in over 30 years. Ledger reported seeing between 18 inches and 2 feet of water in the affected areas.
In another account of the surge, Ledger described attempting to divert water with a shovel, noting that he was standing in three feet of mud up to his waist. He observed water gushing over the edges of the berm and coming over the bridge and trees, describing the intensity of the event as insane.
Emergency Response and Shelters
The flooding impacted more than just residential units; it also inundated the town's brand-new sports fields and facilities. Orangeville City Councilor Kevin Butler noted that the flooding struck the center of town, which serves as the community's primary hub.
As emergency crews responded to the crisis, a Red Cross shelter was established at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located on Main Street to assist those displaced by the rising waters. Emergency response efforts included personnel from public works and members of the Emery County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team.
Community Mitigation Efforts
The community has engaged in widespread local efforts to prepare for incoming weather. Councilor Butler noted that the disaster has impacted daily life, including church services, as many residents left services to assist with sandbagging efforts.
As of Sunday, local officials focused on mitigation rather than immediate cleanup. Butler stated that the priority was clearing silt from the river and flooded areas and deploying sandbags to help keep water within the riverbanks. He explained that the community has not yet focused on cleaning up parks or interiors because they expect further flooding from upcoming storms.
Threat of Future Storms
The threat of additional weather events remains a primary concern for residents. Councilor Butler expressed concern that the ground is already super saturated from previous storms, making the community vulnerable to even worse flooding if new storms roll through.
For some residents, the scale of the flood was unexpected. Mason, the property manager, noted that while she had experienced a flash flood while hiking previously, she did not expect such an event to occur in Orangeville, noting that the creek has historically been a small, trickling stream that is often barely visible during the summer months.
Ongoing Weather Risks
As Emery County faces renewed storm threats, residents remain on high alert. The combination of saturated ground and the potential for more intense rainfall has created a tense atmosphere for those living near Cottonwood Creek.
