A flood watch remains in effect through Monday afternoon for a large portion of Utah, according to a notice from the National Weather Service Salt Lake City. The alert covers several areas including the Salt Lake Valley, Utah Valley, and the Wasatch Back, as moisture from Tropical Storm Rachel continues to impact the region.
The flood watch includes the Northern Wasatch Front, Bear Lake and Bear River Valley, Cache Valley, and the Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains. Other areas under the watch include the Tooele and Rush Valleys, the Wasatch Mountains both north and south of I-80, and the Western Uinta Mountains and Basin. Specific locations mentioned include Garden City, Mantua, Alta, Vernon, Park City, Lehi, Brigham City, Moon Lake, Park Valley, Mirror Lake Highway, Bountiful, Heber City, Brighton, Delta, Roosevelt, Duchesne, Woodruff, Logan, Randolph, Wendover, Payson, Tooele, Provo, Grantsville, Salt Lake City, Smithfield, West Jordan, Snowville, Logan Summit, Huntsville, Ogden, Sandy, Little Sahara, and Dugway.
Excessive runoff from rainfall could lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, and streams. The National Weather Service noted that flooding may occur in urban areas, poor drainage areas, and recent burn scars, such as Rocky Canyon. Moisture interacting with a frontal boundary across far northern Utah may produce locally heavier rainfall totals compared to other locations, making areal flooding possible.
In addition to the flood watch, a wind advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. MDT this evening for the Northern Wasatch Front, Salt Lake Valley, Utah Valley, and Wasatch Back. This advisory includes Provo, Huntsville, Sandy, Payson, Salt Lake City, Lehi, Heber City, Park City, Bountiful, West Jordan, and Ogden. South winds between 20 and 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph.
The National Weather Service warned that gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects and may result in a few power outages. Drivers are advised to use extra caution, especially those operating high-profile vehicles or vehicles with trailers.
Residents in areas prone to flooding are encouraged to be prepared to take action and should monitor later forecasts for potential Flood Warnings. Safety information regarding flooding can be found at http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood.
