MESQUITE, Nev. — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued an areal flood watch for portions of Garfield and Iron counties through 5:30 p.m. Friday in light of thunderstorms producing heavy rain during the 4 o’clock hour.
Rainfall estimates include over an inch of precipitation in a short period of time. Rainfall is expected to continue for the short term
Areas affected
Parowan, Panguitch, Paragonah, Hatch, Summit, Brian Head and Hillsdale
Turn around. Don’t drown.
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain. Dry washes, streams and rivers can become raging killer currents in a matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and the National Weather Service offer safety rules for flash flooding:
- Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation
- Flash flood waves, moving at incredible speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges and scour out new channels. Killing walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. You will not always have warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. You may have only seconds.
- Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. The road bed may not be intact under the water. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away
- Do not hike rivers and especially slot canyons while flash flood warnings are in place
- Do not hike alone and always tell someone where you and your buddy and others are going
- Get out of areas subject to flooding, including dips, low spots, canyons and washes
- Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not try to cross a flowing stream on foot where water is above your knees
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions
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- Flash floodFlash Flood Watch issues for Southern Utah counties watch across 3 Western states
- What to do before, during, after a flash flood
- I can’t believe I survived; video of flash flood crashing down on canyoneers
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