The State Emergency Operations Center has been elevated to Level 3: Enhanced Support following continued monsoonal rains that have caused flooding in southeastern and southwestern Utah, according to an October 30 statement. These weather patterns have resulted in emergency flooding incidents throughout the month of October.
Flooding around Bluff, Utah, has displaced seven families and four businesses. In San Juan County, floodwaters from the San Juan River have overrun sewage treatment lagoons, causing raw sewage to enter flooded areas. Consequently, the San Juan County Public Health Department has issued a warning for people to avoid the San Juan River until further notice and has advised against allowing people or animals to drink from the river.
On Oct. 29, 2026, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson visited Bluff and Hurricane with leaders from various state agencies. During the visit, she received requests for the mobilization of manpower, water pumps, and Utah Department of Transportation trucks to construct a gravel road to reach families stranded by the San Juan River breach. The Utah Department of Transportation has also offered support to the Navajo Nation for various road repairs.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is supporting the San Juan County Public Health Department with messaging regarding water quality and the E. coli discovered in the San Juan River. Additionally, the Navajo Nation has published a Monsoon 2026 information webpage containing safety information and advisories.
The Division of Emergency Management has maintained constant communication with San Juan County Emergency Management. While San Juan County is currently able to fulfill all requests locally, the division will coordinate future requests as needed. Public information officers across state government are supporting public messaging by sharing health messages from San Juan Public Health and safety messages from the Navajo Nation.
DEM recovery staff are scheduled to participate in a disaster recovery meeting with San Juan County on Friday, Nov. 6.
