The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for the area along the Cotton/wood Fire burn scar on Tuesday morning. The warning follows heavy rain that has triggered debris flows in west-central Piute County and east-central Beaver County.
An immediate evacuation order was issued for those located within a quarter mile of the Beaver River, which includes the Grove area. Additionally, residents within a quarter mile of North Creek have been placed under SET status, meaning they should be prepared to evacuate at any moment. Residents in the Town of Beaver are also advised to prepare to evacuate if necessary.
Beaver County emergency management reported that thunderstorms produced heavy rain over the Cottonwood Burn Scar, resulting in a debris flow. According to the warning, up to 0.5 inches of rain have fallen and flash flooding is already occurring.
Officials warned of possible life-threatening conditions because debris flows can carry mud, rocks, and other hazardous materials. The warning noted that excessive rainfall over the burn scar would result in debris flow moving through both the Beaver and North Creek drainages.
This second round of flooding comes shortly after weekend floods destroyed property and infrastructure in Beaver County. City and county leaders described the recent flooding as devastating during meetings with the community on Monday.
Multiple families in the Grove neighborhood were previously displaced by these floods, leading to the establishment of an evacuation shelter at the high school. While some residents have been allowed to return to retrieve items, the area remains under evacuation orders.
