Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson has ordered emergency accommodations for San Juan County voters after monsoonal flooding in October displaced families and disrupted local access. The decision follows severe flooding around Bluff, Utah, which displaced seven families and four businesses.
Flood Impact and Response
Monsoonal rains throughout October caused emergency flooding incidents across southeastern and southwestern Utah. On Oct. 30, 2026, the State Emergency Operations Center elevated its status to Level 3: Enhanced Support.
During a visit to Bluff and Hurricane on Oct. 29, 2026, Henderson met with state agency leaders to address requests for manpower, water pumps, and UDOT trucks. These resources were requested to construct a gravel road to reach families stranded by the breach of the San Juan River.
Water Quality and Health Risks
The flooding caused significant environmental and public health concerns in the region. Floodwaters from the San Juan River overran sewage treatment lagoons, causing raw sewage to enter flooded areas.
San Juan County Public Health issued a warning for residents to stay out of the San Juan River until further notice and instructed that people and animals should not drink from the river. On Oct. 31, 2026, a health advisory was issued regarding waterborne pathogens in the San Juan River.
Navajo Nation Safety Measures
The Navajo Nation has been managing the impacts of the 2026 monsoon season through its own emergency operations. The Navajo Nation Emergency Operations Center issued public service announcements on Oct. 28, 2026, and Oct. 29, 2026, regarding food safety and the management of flooded septic systems and outhouses.
The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management has provided safety advisories and incident updates to help residents prepare for inclement weather by maintaining three days of supplies and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is currently partnering with local agencies to support recovery and protect drinking water safety. The department is working with the Southeast Utah Health Department and San Juan County Public Health to handle on-site water sampling and local health advisories.
The Utah Department of Transportation has offered support to the Navajo Nation for various road repairs. Additionally, DEM recovery staff are scheduled to participate in a disaster recovery meeting with San Juan County on Nov. 6, 2026.
Election Information
Voters in San Juan County can use official tools to locate polling centers for the 2026 General Election. The Utah Division of Elections provides a voter search tool for residents to find their specific polling locations by street address.
