A flood watch remains in effect through Thursday evening for much of southern Utah, according to a notice from the National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible across several regions, including Bryce Canyon Country and Zion National Park.
The flood watch covers a large portion of the state, including the Central Mountains, San Rafael Swell, Capitol Reef National Park and Vicinity, and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell. Other affected areas include the Southern Mountains, Upper Sevier River Valleys, Western Canyonlands, Lower Washington County, and Zion National Park. Specific locations noted include Bullfrog, Green River, Bryce Canyon City, Big Water, Escalante, Hanksville, Panguitch, Goblin Valley, St George, Circleville, Emery, Brian Head, Loa, Castle Dale, Price, Torrey, Kanab, Alton, Hurricane, Ivins, Koosharem, Joes Valley, Springdale, Cove Fort, and Fish Lake.
A late season surge of tropical moisture is expected to bring widespread moderate to at times heavy rainfall across much of southern Utah through Thursday. Local rainfall totals in excess of 3 inches are expected through Thursday evening. This rainfall may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, dry washes, slot canyons, and other low-lying locations such as slickrock areas and recent burn scars.
A separate flood warning was in effect until 12:15 PM MDT Thursday for San Juan County in southeastern Utah, as well as southwestern Garfield County and Kane County. In these areas, flooding of normally dry washes, slot canyons, rivers, and creeks is imminent or occurring. Increasingly high flows are expected in the Paria River, Wahweep Creek, Warm Creek, Last Chance Creek, Croton Canyon, and the Escalante River Basin and tributaries.
Doppler radar and automated rain gauges have indicated heavy rain, with 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rain having already fallen in some areas. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2.5 inches are possible in the warned area through Thursday morning. Backcountry roads may become impassable due to flooding.
Officials advise people in the backcountry to ensure they have alternative routes available in case primary routes become impassable. The public is urged to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if Flash Flood Warnings are issued. Residents are reminded to turn around rather than driving through flooded roads, as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
