Some Utah cities, counties prepare for flooding as rain moves in
Oct 9, 2025, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:17 pm
FILE — Rain is expected in Utah over the next few days. (Shutterstock)
(Shutterstock)
SALT LAKE CITY — With rain expected over the next few days, cities and counties across central and southern Utah are working to prepare for any flooding that might happen.
“A large swath of heavy rainfall has begun moving into southern Utah this afternoon, with more scattered showers ongoing across central Utah,” the National Weather Service posted on X on Thursday. “Expect this heavy rain to continue moving northeastward through this afternoon and evening.”
By Thursday night, the NWS increased its flash flood warning for several areas in Southern to “expected.”
⚠️⛈️ With increasing confidence in widespread heavy rain, the Flash Flood Potential Rating has been upgraded to Expected in parts of S-UT on Friday. This potential will increase rapidly during the early morning hours and will continue through the day and into Saturday. #utwx pic.twitter.com/enbRWWD1x4
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) October 10, 2025
Officials in Moab told KSL TV it’s all hands on deck as moisture from Tropical Storm Priscilla moves into the state.
“We’re definitely expecting a rain event this weekend,” said city manager Michael Black. “We’ve got everybody out working. We’re all out there checking on things.”
FILE — Moab’s Main Street is pictured in October 2024. (Alex Cabrero, KSL TV)
The last few years have brought several floods to Moab. A major one hit in 2022, causing significant city-wide damage. Another flood happened last summer, caused by heavy rain.
“We’ve become very aware that we can’t predict exactly what is going to happen,” Black said, while adding that crews are doing what they can such as clearing storm drains and catch basins.
The city has also told residents where to pick up sandbags to protect their own property.
“We’ve been reminding them this week — especially in the last few days — where to get those, how important it is to have those, and encouraging them to go down and have some of those on site,” Black said, “so that they can be prepared for these surface floods that could come through.”
Moab has also spent millions in grant money over the last few years to shore up its creeks, trying to keep the water in the banks and away from private property, according to Black.
File — Damage from a flood in Moab in August 2022 is pictured. (Andrew Adams, KSL TV)
“The city of Moab has been doing its best to protect against flooding with the resources that we have,” he said.
In East Carbon, crews are also busy. Cody Valdez, maintenance supervisor for the small town of under 2,000 people, said his crews are also clearing storm drains and making sure there are enough sandbags for everyone.
“A lot of people here have basements,” Valdez said, “and that’s the first thing what usually floods is people’s basements, so we’re just looking out for them.”
San Juan County is also urging people to “use caution over the next several days” as heavy rain is expected to fall.
“This may lead to flooding in slot canyons, dry washes, rivers, streams, and low-lying areas,” the county said in a news release. “If you are hiking, backpacking, or recreating outdoors: Be aware of your surroundings and weather forecasts. Slot canyons can fill with water suddenly. Rivers and streams may become high and swift. A small trickle going in can turn into a full creek or river on your way out.”
FILE — Blanding, in San Juan County, is pictured in June 2025. (Chopper 5)
The National Weather Service had already issued multiple flash flood warnings on Thursday afternoon for places in southern Utah including Zion National Park and Warm Creek in Kane County.
The Red Cross urged everyone to have an emergency plan, an emergency kit and protect valuables in the days ahead.
