HILDALE — A “significant flood” in Hildale caused all Short Creek wash crossings to close for multiple hours on Monday, Hildale Fire Chief Kevin Barlow said.
The Hildale Fire Department closed down the first Short Creek crossing at 4 p.m. Some houses in town experienced internal flooding as well.
Robb Radley, Hildale’s chief of police, cautioned residents to not get too close to river edges during flood watches.
“We ask people to be very, very cautious and not get close to the edges of the river,” he said. “Pay attention and look upstream for waves where more water comes down. One second can seem safe where you’re standing, but within seconds that can change. Sometimes a wall of water can come from behind where you’re watching.
Radley also emphasized the importance of how quickly water volume and speed can change when flooding occurs.
“I want to remind people that the water flow changes,” head said. “It ebbs and flows. We try to convey that message, that it’s not just one guaranteed flow. It can increase and decrease, and it doesn’t take much time at all.”
This report is based on statements by police and fire personnel and may not contain all the findings.
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