Widespread flood warnings are in effect for portions of southeastern Utah, including San Juan and Grand Counties, as excessive rainfall triggers flooding in several waterways. The National Weather Service reports that flooding is already occurring or is imminent in various low-lying and flood-prone locations.
In San Juan County, flooding is occurring at Bartlett Wash and Hunters Canyon. A flood warning for southwestern San Juan County remains in effect until 9:45 PM MDT. Additionally, a warning is active for northwestern San Juan County until 9:45 PM MDT, affecting areas including Oljeto and the Navajo Mountain Trading Post. In Grand County, flooding is expected in the San Rafael Swell south of I-70 and within Capitol Reef National Park, where heavy rain has already closed Highway 24 between mile markers 80 and 86. This warning for eastern Grand and northwestern San Juan Counties remains in effect until 11:15 AM MDT Friday.
Additional flood warnings are active for several Utah counties. A warning for southern Utah counties, including Garfield, Kane, and Sevier, remains in effect until 12:15 PM MDT Friday. This includes the Escalante River Basin and the Paria River, where flows remain high and swift. In southeastern Utah, a warning for the San Juan River at Shiprock is in effect from late tonight until further notice, with the river expected to rise above flood stage just after midnight. In San Juan County, the Animas River at Farmington is also under a flood warning from Friday morning through Saturday evening, with a forecast crest of 11.0 feet late tomorrow evening.
The National Weather Service warned that many backcountry roads within the affected Utah areas are expected to become impassable. In San Juan County, low-water crossings are inundated and may not be passable. Officials advise that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and urge residents to turn around, do not drown when encountering flooded roads.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque is scheduled to issue the next statement regarding the Rio Chama flood warning on Friday afternoon at noon MDT.
