ST. GEORGE — Residents and resorts were still dealing with the aftereffects Thursday in the Dammeron Valley and surrounding areas after two large storm cells crossed over the region Wednesday evening. Efforts are underway to prepare for more rain, as the current monsoon storm pattern is expected to continue.

On Wednesday, the first of two storm cells formed above the Dammeron Valley area, sending a downpour of torrential rain upon the region, Hunter Wolfe, communications director for the Dammeron Valley Fire Department, told St. George News.

“I mean it was relentless for more than 20 minutes or so,” he said. “And then we got hit with a second cell that did not last as long, but the amount of water that came down was “pretty surprising.”

Following the first spell of heavy rain, the Dammeron Valley Fire Department deployed all resources to address any problems, using every engine, truck, and other apparatus that were deployed from the station. Crews set out to first check on the areas most prone to flooding, while other members were checking a number of residential neighborhoods, culverts and drainage ditches for flooding.

Once the second storm cell hit, Wolfe said, many of the culverts became overwhelmed. At that point. the water overflowed into residential areas where homes and other structures were located.

“Those culverts put up a valiant fight,” Wolfe said. “But at some point, they were inundated with water.”

One home reported flooding in the basement with two to three inches of water. The fire department responded to the residence Wednesday night and helped remove the water using electric pumps.

The overflow of water also carried with it a tremendous amount of mud and debris that was swept across a number of areas, and crews went out with chainsaws to cut and remove the larger branches and other vegetation that were caught in the overflow.

Meanwhile, crews and residents were filling sandbags that were made available to the public, and the Washington County Public Works Department was working to provide an additional load of sand late Thursday.

The fire department was also notified of flooding in the Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon area, where heavy rainfall not only caused flooding, but sent a river of mud down the canyon and into the pool. Emergency crews were out there Thursday with electric pumps and other equipment to remove the mud and debris from the property.

What did hold up during the storm was the large culvert that was installed under state Route 18 — a project that was completed after the unprecedented flooding from the storms in 2018 when two massive storms flooded the highway and left the valley with significant damage, Wolfe said, and also prompted a number of improvements across the region.

A number of new culverts and drainage ditches were installed, as well as other improvements designed to divert the water away from residential areas by moving it towards the undeveloped public land regions.

More preparations are being made, Wolfe said, as the storms do not appear to be ceasing anytime soon. He added crews remain on high alert as flash flood watches and inclement weather can result in more excessive rainfall over the next several days.

He also recommended that residents maintain situational awareness and if a heavy rainstorm hits, it is important to continue monitoring the property for flooding. Placing sandbags around the home or other structures can help divert the water away from the property. Sandbags can be picked up at the Dammeron Valley Fire Department, or can be delivered to residents if needed.

Keeping an eye on the homes located next door or nearby is also a good idea, Wolfe said, as a number of the residences in the valley serve as a second home and may be unoccupied when the storm hits. If the home appears to be in jeopardy, the fire department can respond with sandbags or other resources to help mitigate the damage.

Wolfe said water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change, so residents are cautioned to remain vigilant and avoid flood waters at all costs — “turn around, don’t drown,” he added.

Anyone needing assistance is asked to call 911 instead of the fire department, which will streamline the operation and ensure that crews respond to each call with the appropriate supplies or equipment.

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