Widespread flooding was being seen across large parts of Tooele County after storms brought heavy rainfall to northern Utah on Saturday.
Photos and videos shared with FOX 13 News showed flooded streets and homes where rainwater made it into basements.
The Tooele City Fire Department ran out of sandbags at one point, but in an update Saturday afternoon, they said they had more available for residents to pick up at the Tooele City Shops (950 S. Main Street) and Fire Station #3 (145 E. 1000 North).
Sandbags are also available for those in other cities and towns in Tooele County:
- Stansbury Park Improvement District shop (30 Plaza)
- Stansbury Park Fire Station (179 Country Club)
- Pine Canyon Fire Station (1753 2000 North)
Brittany Lopez, the assistant county manager, said there has been substantial flooding in the nearby canyons and on the main roads throughout the city.
"These retention ponds are all over this area," Lopez said, "They're built for '100-year storms' ... now they're overflowing, so this would be considered a 100-year storm."
The rain even washed out part of a railroad track's support embankment in Tooele. It happened Saturday morning, and Union Pacific said its crews got it repaired and resumed the train service Saturday afternoon.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department also reported flooding on the west side of the city, specifically 1968 W. 800 North. The public is warned to avoid the area.
According to the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City, potentially "life-threatening" flooding is already underway after heavy rains fell over northern Utah in the early morning hours.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued for parts of eastern Tooele County on Saturday near the Jacob City Burn Scar. It was in effect until noon after being extended from 10 a.m.
Due to the rains over the burn scar, a debris flow consisting of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials has occurred. Flash flooding and debris flows are expected to impact the county road near the water treatment plant in Soldier Canyon and potentially points downstream along Soldier Creek to SR-36. Locations expected to experience flash flooding include Stockton, Loafer Canyon and Soldier Canyon. Creeks, streams and ditches are danger spots for flash floods.
