Flash Flood Watch for Washington, Iron, Kane counties

UPDATE 6 p.m. The National Weather Service has cancelled this Flash Flood Watch

SOUTHERN UTAH – The National Weather Service has issued a “Flash Flood Watch” for the Washington, Iron, and Kane counties today in effect until 10 p.m.

Conditions – The NWS Doppler radar indicated showers and thunderstorms will develop over portions of central, southern, and southwest Utah today, with the greatest coverage over the southern two-thirds of Utah. The air mass over that area will be extremely moist so any storms that develop will produce heavy rainfall.

Timing – 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Dots denote affected area at radar time 11 a.m., Southern Utah, Aug. 19, 2013 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service
Dots denote affected area at radar time 11 a.m., Southern Utah, Aug. 19, 2013 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service

Affected areas – Portions of central Utah, southern Utah, and southwest Utah, including the following areas: Central Utah: Castle Country, central Mountains, San Rafael Swell, Sanpete/Sevier Valleys, Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs and west central Utah; Southern Utah: Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell, south central Utah, southwest Utah, and Utah’s Dixie and Zion National Park; Southwest Utah: Southern Mountains.

Most threatened – Flash flooding is greatest over burn scars, as well as slot canyons and normally dry washes. Small streams could experience significant rises and urban flooding is also possible.

Precautionary and preparedness actions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and the National Weather Service offer safety rules for flash flooding:

  • Conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.  Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
  • Flash flood waves, moving at incredible speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Killing walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. You will not always have warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. You may have only seconds.
  • Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. The road bed may not be intact under the water. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away. Case in point: In July 2013 a tour bus in Arizona tipped over and got swept nearly one-half mile down an otherwise dry wash.
  • Do not hike rivers and especially slot canyons while flash flood warnings are in place.
  • Do not hike alone and always tell someone where you and your buddy and others are going.
  • Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, et cetera.
  • Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not try to cross a flowing stream on foot where water is above your knees.
  • Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
  • Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
  • During any flood emergency, stay tuned to your NOAA weather radio, commercial radio, or television, follow St. George News at STGnews.com and St. George News Facebook for weather alerts and updates relevant to Southern Utah. Information from the national weather service and disaster and emergency services may save your life.

Turn around, don’t drown.

Related posts – Storm, flash flooding

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

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