Utah has experienced higher than normal snowpack this winter. That snowpack, along with spring rains, will potentially cause higher stream flows, higher water tables and inundation of areas not subject to water flow in normal years. Residents need to be aware of the potential for flooding in their communities this spring. Take measures to protect areas near your home that may be subject to flooding and pre-stage sandbags in problem areas.
- Inspect your rain gutters and downspouts and confirm that they are clear of snow and debris.
- Be sure storm drains closest to your home and the area around them are clear of any debris.
- Pay attention to your landscaping, making sure water drains away from your home.
- Keep children and pets away from potential flood and drainage areas.
- Rain on low-elevation valley snow can melt it quickly and increase runoff along streets and roadways.
- Shallow flooding of parking lots, roadways, and intersections could be possible.
- Watch out for surface runoff and shallow sheet flooding from snow-covered open areas of land or driveways that slope toward a home or residence.
How do you know if your home is in a flood zone?
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV News) — Salt Lake County Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham says it's important to know if your home is in a flood zone, after this year's historic winter.
There's an easy way to check:
- Head to https://slcoem.org/ (Interactive Flood Plain Map)
- Click on Emergencies/Incidents
- Click on Flooding/Spring Runoff
- Scroll down (There's a lot of useful information you can scroll through)
- Click on: Salt Lake County Floodplain Map
- Type in your address
Clint says this map will show you, "These are the floodplain maps that FEMA used to determine who is eligible for floodplain insurance. Those purple areas you're seeing on the map indicate you're in a 100-year flood plain and there is the potential for you to have issues, should the runoff season get water that comes out of the banks and creeks... Again you are in that historical floodplain; if you're in that floodplain, you have the ability to qualify for national flood protection insurance."
He said they have put a lot of infrastructure in place since 2010-2011 to help them manage larger volumes of water since then.
"As the water comes down, it's going to eventually get into the Jordan River and then in the Great Salt Lake. That's what they're doing is trying to make sure it stays in the bank and ends up in the Great Salt Lake rather than somebody's backyard," he said.
Where Can I Pick Up Sandbags?
Salt Lake County is providing sandbags to residents to protect their homes from flooding. Residents are allotted 25 complimentary sandbags per day. Bring your own shovel and gloves. You can pick up sandbags at:
Salt Lake County Public Works Operations Division Sandbag Shed (north of main office building)
604 West 6960 South, Midvale, Utah
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Phone: (801) 468-6101
You can also purchase extra bags (approx. $0.15 to 0.30 per bag).