Heavy rains producing flash flood potential in parts of Southern Utah, Arizona Strip

Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Thunderstorms moving over Kane and Garfield counties and the Arizona Strip have triggered flash flood warnings in area towns and recreation areas.


Bookmark this page for continuous updates about storms and flash flood conditions Thursday.

  • Update 8:35 p.m. A flash flood warning has been issued for central Kane County.

Central Kane County

Map shows region subject to flash flooding in Kane County. Radar image generated at 8:15 p.m. MDT, Aug. 23, 2018 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service, St. George News

At 8:10 p.m. MDT, a trained weather spotter reported flash flooding occurring in the Paria River, with high flows where the river intersects U.S. Route 89. Radar estimates indicate in excess of half an inch of rain has fallen over the river, according to the National Weather Service.

Flash flooding is expected to continue downstream into the Paria Narrows, eventually crossing the Utah/Arizona border. Radar estimates indicate in excess of half an inch of rain has fallen over the river.

“Anyone in the lower Paria River basin area or the Paria Narrows needs to move to higher ground immediately,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory.

A flash flood warning is in effect for the area until 11:15 p.m. MDT.

Garfield/Kane County

Map shows region subject to flash flooding in Kane and Garfield counties. Radar image generated at 1:30 p.m. MDT, Aug. 23, 2018 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service, St. George News

At 1:11 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar indicated a thunderstorm producing heavy rain in the upper Paria River drainage, according to the National Weather Service. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen.

Flash flooding has already been reported in the Cannonville area, and other locations likely to experience flooding include Henrieville, Tropic and Kodachrome Basin State Park.

A flash flood warning for the region is in effect until 4:15 p.m. MDT.

Arizona

Shortly after noon MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across northern Mohave County on the Arizona Strip, according to the National Weather Service. Over 2 inches of rain has fallen in some lightly traveled towns and recreation areas.

Map shows region subject to flash flooding in Mohave County. Radar image generated at 12:30 p.m. MST, Aug. 23, 2018 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service, St. George News

Locations that will likely experience flooding include Mt. Trumbull, Mount Dellanbaugh Road, Toroweap Campground, Bar Ten Ranch, Tuweep, Hack and Grama Canyon, the Kanab Creek Wilderness and the portion of Antelope Valley Road in northeastern Mohave County.

A flash flood warning is in effect for the areas until 3:30 p.m. MST.

Precautions

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately. Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of washes and low-water crossings that are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

During any flood emergency, stay tuned to official weather reports via radio, television and social media. Cell phone users can also sign up to receive weather alerts as text messages. You can also follow St. George News and Cedar City News for weather alerts and updates relevant to Southern Utah.

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Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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