Salt Lake City, Utah – Residents and visitors across southwest and south-central Utah should prepare for the potential of dangerous flash flooding as widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to produce periods of heavy rainfall through Saturday evening. The greatest concern is for slot canyons, recent burn scars and normally dry washes, where water levels can rise rapidly with little warning.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, a Flood Watch remains in effect Friday and Saturday for portions of southwest and south-central Utah. Forecasters say repeated rounds of thunderstorms will be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding in flood-prone locations.
The watch includes communities near St. George, Cedar City, Beaver, Panguitch, Kanab and Escalante, along with popular recreation areas. Burn scars such as Cottonwood, Forsyth and Monroe Canyon are especially vulnerable to debris flows and rapidly developing floodwaters. Urban areas with poor drainage could also experience localized flooding during the heaviest downpours.
Officials urge hikers, campers and visitors to avoid narrow slot canyons and washes during periods of rain, even if storms are occurring several miles away. Motorists should never drive across flooded roadways, as water depth and road conditions can be impossible to judge.
Residents and travelers should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and closely monitor forecasts throughout the weekend. Additional flood warnings may be issued if thunderstorms intensify or flash flooding develops.
