Flood watch issued for central, southern Utah Friday
Aug 17, 2023, 1:41 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
FILE: a view of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon take in the spectacular view of the hoodoos at Sunset Point from the Navajo Loop. Bryce Canyon National Park was listed as having possible flash floods this week. (Kristin Nichols, Deseret Morning News)
(Kristin Nichols, Deseret Morning News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Portions of central and southern Utah, including popular recreation areas, are part of a flood watch issued by the National Weather Service ahead of a monsoon surge that will push into the state.
The Salt Lake City office of the NWS issued the flood watch late Thursday morning in effect Friday afternoon through evening. The areas expected to experience flash flooding due to rain are heavily used for recreation but flash flooding is also possible in urban areas.
Flash floods have previously proved deadly in Utah.
The following areas are under the flood watch:
- Central mountains
- Sevier Valley
- Bryce Canyon Country
- Capitol Reef National Park and vicinity
- Lake Powell / Glen Canyon Recreation area
- South central Utah
- Southern mountains
- Upper Sevier River valleys
- Western Canyonlands
- Lower Washington County
- Southwest Utah
- Zion National Park
Impacts are expected to include heavy rainfall causing flash flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, recent burn scars, creeks, stream and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to NWS.
“An ongoing monsoon surge combined with a series of weather disturbances crossing the state will bring an increased threat of flash flooding,” NWS said. “You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings.”
Please read Larry D. Curtis’ full story at KSLTV.com.
