SALT LAKE CITY — New flood warnings were issued Monday as temperatures heat up and snow melts, with officials keeping a watchful eye on flooding across the state.
The newest warning is an upgrade to a flood watch previously issued for the lower Weber River at Plain City. According to the National Weather Service, the river was at 25.4 feet, with flooding expected to occur once it reaches 27 feet, which is forecast by Tuesday afternoon with a peak on Wednesday. The flooding would affect farmland adjacent to the river.
Other warnings were issued for the south fork of the Ogden River near Huntsville, and the Sevier River near Hatch which affects Iron, Sevier, Garfield, Kane and Piute counties.
Overall, experts say all rivers, creeks and streams will be running high as summer-like temperatures overtake Utah to start off the month of May.
A flood warning was also implemented for areas near the Sevier River. Experts say flows are expected to peak Monday night and will be near flood levels through Friday morning.
In Salt Lake County, a flood warning was put in place Sunday night until Thursday morning for the Emigration Creek area.
They report the creek exceeded flood flow Sunday night, and say there's a moderate risk for flooding.
Although the creek will drop below flood flow Monday morning, it's expected to rise again as temperatures may reach the upper 80s throughout the day, continually melting mountain snow.
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NWS believes only minor flooding will impact the area, but warns individuals that they should consider using sandbags to protect their property from any water damage.
The warning comes just weeks after the area saw intense flooding. Voluntary evacuation orders were given to residents in the area and hundreds of volunteers filled sandbags to direct water safely away from homes.
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In Weber County, The Utah Department of Transportation reported that flooding impacted both directions in Ogden Canyon, although further details about the situation were not immediately known.
A flood advisory was put in effect for areas near Thistle Creek in Sanpete and Utah Counties on Sunday night through Tuesday morning as law enforcement reported flooding on the road.
Due to the flooding, officials put road closures in place Monday morning for both directions of U.S. 89 in Spanish Fork Canyon. It was reopened just before 4:30 p.m.
Gunnison City closed 200 West between 200 South and 400 South on Monday because of a foot of water running over at the river crossing. The city expects the closure to be temporary for the next three days.
In far northern Utah, a flood warning was issued Sunday night through Friday morning as NWS reported minor flooding would impact farmland and low-lying areas adjacent to the Little Bear River near the town of Paradise.
NWS also reports that excessive runoff may result in flooding below the Hyrum Reservoir along Little Bear River as an areal flood watch was put in effect for portions of Cache County from Sunday night to Friday morning.
Experts warn that should drivers come across flood waters on the roads, they should turn around and not attempt to drive through flooded areas.
