As of Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2026, the National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches for Lower Washington County, Southwest Utah, Zion National Park, and adjoining southern Utah zones. The watches are effective through Thursday evening and will again be in place from Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
Forecasters warn that excessive rainfall could lead to flooding in slot canyons, normally dry washes, slickrock, and areas with recent burn scars, including the Forsyth, France Canyon, Cottonwood, and Monroe Canyon areas. The threat is heightened by the potential for accumulating rainfall as monsoonal moisture moves through the region.
Washington County Emergency Management, led by Jason Bradley, has provided specific guidance for residents to prepare for potential flooding. Recommended actions include conducting property assessments, considering flood insurance, and preparing 72-hour kits and family evacuation plans.
Residents are encouraged to clean debris from gutters, drains, ditches, and waterways on private property and to acquire sandbags from retailers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Hurst and Bucks Ace Hardware, and Walmart. For local alerts, the county advises texting WCFLOOD to 888777 and registering for notifications via 911register.com or the Washington County Alerts system.
During active flooding, officials emphasize following the Turn Around, Don't Drown rule. This includes respecting road closures, avoiding walking or driving through floodwaters, and staying off bridges over fast-moving water. Be Ready Utah notes that just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, while 12 to 18 inches can float or carry away vehicles.
St. George Public Works has also issued reminders regarding the city's stormwater program. Residents should keep leaves, grass, trash, and construction debris out of gutters and inlets to ensure drains can function properly. The department requests that citizens report blocked or damaged storm drains rather than attempting to remove covers themselves.
Following significant flooding in 2020, St. George completed the $3.3 million North Industrial Detention Basin in July 2025. This project featured a labyrinth spillway designed to handle a 500-year storm. City officials stated that a drainage master plan is updated every five years to prioritize infrastructure improvements and proactive upgrades in older neighborhoods.
The region has a history of significant flood events, including the 2015 flash flood in Hildale that resulted in multiple fatalities, and more recent urban flooding in 2018 and 2020.
For ongoing emergencies, residents should call 911. Non-emergency storm drain issues can be reported to St. George Public Works. Washington County Emergency Management can be reached at 435-301-7360.
